MP Lanza requests President to appoint independent commission to probe terror attacks

Parliamentarian Nimal Lanza has requested President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to appoint a special independent commission vested with judicial powers to probe the Easter Sunday attacks.

“Not only the Catholics but all Sri Lankans are seeking to reveal the true story behind the attacks,” Lanza said in his letter to the newly-elected President.

He pointed out that questions linger over the mastermind and the objective behind the terrorist attacks, and also the reasons why it had not been prevented beforehand.

The Easter Sunday attacks mainly targetting six places including three churches claimed 258 lives and injured 481, on April 21.

The parliamentarian claimed that a request made by Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa to the former President to appoint a similar commission had not drawn a positive response.

“Those who suffered extensive injuries or became handicapped in the incident allege that they have not received reasonable compensation,” he stated.

Lanza called on the President to implement a special plan to grant relief to the victims, and also probe whether there was an international hand behind the attacks.

He recalled that Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith had expressed dissatisfaction over the Parliamentary Select Committee appointed to probe the carnage and that the Bishops Conference too had called for an independent investigative body.

The parliamentarian requested the President to fulfill these requests as he had vowed to do so during his presidential campaign.