The Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka (CBCSL) has urged the government to take immediate action to implement the recommendations in the report compiled by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry which investigated the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.

In a special statement issued following a special meeting held today (March 09), the CBCSL further appealed to the government that full power and freedom be given to the Attorney General to prosecute the perpetrators who aided and abetted the dastardly terrorist act and those who were found guilty of negligence.

“We urge that the judicial mechanism to do that be set in motion with immediate effect.”

They also drew the attention to 22 sensitive documents that were withheld from the Attorney General, stating that “we feel that these documents should be given to him as soon as possible.”

The statement read that “almost two years have lapsed and the affected people are still longing for justice.”

Catholic Bishops’ Conference also welcomed the findings of the PCoI report on the carnage and the specific recommendations that were made.

In its conclusion, the statement stressed that people are awaiting immediate and transparent process of justice which is to be carried out with a sense of urgency.

Reiterating that “justice delayed is justice denied,” the Catholic Bishops urged all individuals concerned to act without delay in on this crucial matter.”