A bouquet of flowers to the Cardinal!
In the aftermath of the heinous attack on the Christian churches and tourists hotels on the Easter Sunday, the political leadership of our country appears to be more focused on their political ambitions at the expense of lives perished and pain suffered by hundreds of innocent people.
Needless to say, the political leadership should assume the full responsibility for the security failure when they had adequate advance warning of an impending attack.trying to absolve themselves of the sin of inaction by blaming it on the IGP or the Defence Secretary is an insult to the victims of the Easter Sunday massacre. Does the defence of the country rest only on two administrators? Shouldn’t the president as the Minister of Defence and Law and Order assume the responsibility if the security apparatus under his command did not function as expected?
When the politicians are obviously busy protecting their vote banks in preparation for the future presidential elections, the only visible leadership is the clergy, especially His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith. His soothing homilies to the nation at large played a major role in avoiding an otherwise catastrophic backlash which would have created a bigger bloodbath.
It is more than two weeks since this terrorist attack took a heavy toll on human lives and the economy of the country. Except for the active engagement of the armed forces, police and the ad hoc leadership of His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the politicians seem to be busy having all sorts of meetings, appointing commissions, attending to opening ceremonies and business as usual!
When the politicians are obviously busy protecting their vote banks in preparation for the future presidential elections, the only visible leadership is the clergy, especially His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith
Do we see any tangible action taken to restore the confidence of the people and bring back normalcy to the country? As His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith said there is much more to be done, the initial momentum appears to be waning fast. It is time to walk the talk!
When all criticism is aimed at the governments, present and past, for the security failures of the country, all parties should, at least, seize this moment to shed their political differences and work towards a united and peaceful Sri Lanka. Let the innocent blood and tears shed on April 21 not be in vain!
RIENZIE NANAYAKKARA KANDY