Manila, Philippines, Sep 9, 2021 / 09:00 am
The Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, warned that Sri Lanka’s top government officials are out to mislead Pope Francis regarding the result of the investigation into the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings in the country’s capital.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Foreign Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris are reportedly set to meet with Vatican officials this week to brief them about the investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks that killed more than 260 people and injured more than 500 others.
“A conspiracy is being carried forward in a tactful manner to save those who are behind the attack and an effort is being made to convert the situation to be favorable toward the government,” Cardinal Ranjith said in a statement during a media briefing on Wednesday, Sept. 8.
A report in Sri Lanka’s Daily News, however, said the prime minister has not sought a meeting with Pope Francis, and his delegation will not be visiting the Vatican during the visit to Italy this week for the G-20 Interfaith Forum.