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Cardinal calls for justice amidst sombre remembrance of Easter Sunday victims
St Anthony's Church Kochchikade: Those who were physically handicapped in the blast were among the congregation. Pic by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
Cardinal Ranjith Malcolm who celebrated Holy Mass at St Anthony’s Church Kochchikade, on April 21, marking the second year remembrance of the victims of the Easter Sunday bombings, once again urged the government to grant justice to the victims and their families by investigating and revealing those behind the heinous crime.
He said that it was necessary to investigate, not only to bring justice to the victims and their families but also to protect the country from such acts in the future.
” It concerns the national security of the country,” he said.
Devotees who flocked to churches around the country, were mostly family members and friends of the victims.
At Kochcikade St. Anthony’s Church some victims, maimed for life, sat in wheel chairs while others sat with crutches by their side in the front row pews.
The Holy Mass was celebrated in the presence of Buddhist monks, Hindu kurukals, Islam moulavis and dignitaries who joined in, in a show of solidarity with the Catholic Church.
A two minute silence was observed at 8.45 a.m, the time the explosion occurred while the church bell tolled.
Bombs exploded in three churches across the country and three leading star hotels in Colombo on Easter Sunday, on April 21, 2019 killing 269 people and injuring 500 others .
St. Sebastian's Church Katuwapitiya: Remembering their loved ones. Pic by Akila Jayawardana
At St. Sebastian’s Church Katuwapitiya a chapel, built in the cemetery where the bomb blast victims were buried, was inaugurated followed by the distribution of dry food rations to family members of victims.
Meanwhile Holy Mass was celebrated in all churches around the country amidst tight security checks by army and police personnel.
In parliament a minute’s silence was observed in memory of those who died.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa promised that all responsible for the attack will be brought to justice .