REPARATIONS OFFICE TO OFFER REDRESS TO EASTER SUNDAY ATTACK VICTIMS
Those who have suffered losses as a result of the Easter Sunday attacks will be directed to the newly opened office of reparations so that they could obtain redress, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.
The Prime Minister said this at the graduation of community leaders attached to the National Peace Council (NPC) last morning.
“The government has already handed over Rs. 250 million as compensation to those who suffered losses during the terror attacks on April 21. However, this is just an initial payment. The victims will be asked to go to the office of reparation to claim the sum stipulated as damages due to them,” the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister said all members of the group responsible for the bomb attacks who are still alive are currently behind bars. He said those who are responsible for the
attacks in Minuwangoda are also behind bars. “We have informed the Attorney General to see that those who are not connected to the attacks are allowed bail or released,” he said.
“However there are issues to be resolved. Sinhalese are living in suspicion. Tamils are complaining that the government is neglecting them while paying attention to Muslims. Muslims say only a handful of members in their community have embraced extremism and they are not involved in the Easter Sunday attacks. The Government will bring in a new Madrasa education law. We can also legally constitute an inter-faith council if needed,” he added.
Further he said reconciliation has been
There are issues to be resolved. Sinhalese are living in suspicion. Tamils are complaining that the government is neglecting them while paying attention to Muslims. Muslims say only a handful of members in their community have embraced extremism and they are not involved in the Easter Sunday attacks
a success no matter what anyone says. “There would have been a bloodbath in Sri Lanka by April 22 if the reconciliation process had not been a success,” he said in this regard.
Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, speaking at the event, said the government and the opposition should work together without thinking of political advantage for the country to move forward and to ensure a sustainable peace.
Chief Opposition Whip Mahinda Amaraweera said the proposal for a new legal system and education policy will become law before long. “The usual belief is that the opposition can do nothing but we have proven that one can do something useful without enjoying power,” he said.