Courtesy The Daily Mirror

Whilst highlighting that Catholics are willing to forgive those who staged Easter Sunday attacks two years ago, Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith today called for setting up of new laws to prevent such mayhem in the future.

He said this during the Ash Wednesday Service at St. Anthony’s Church, Kochchikade.

We are willing to forgive those who staged the suicide attacks two years ago. Several people had been slain inside this very church. We did not retaliate as Christians. There would have been a greater destruction if we had done so. We cannot retaliate according to Christian teachings. Jesus taught us to forgive and love those who harm us. He pardoned those who crusified him. He prayed for those who crusified him be forgiven. Jesus also taught to show our right cheek if someone slaps us on the left cheek,” Cardinal said.

However it is important to find out as to who really organized the April 21 carnage, especially it is important to determine as to whether any international organization is behind the attack. Also it is essential to avoid such mayhem in the future and to bring in new laws to prevent such mayhem taking place once again. We are not sure whether we could be satisfied with the efforts made by the authorities in this regard. Let us pray that the rulers of this country fulfil their duties,” he added.

Also Cardinal Ranjith said any foreign intervention should be avoided. He made this remark by highlighting that there are internal forces which are determined to create disunity among the people of this country just to fulfil their interests. (Yohan Perera)