Colombo: Public mass in terror-hit Sri Lanka would resume in some Catholic churches 5 May and no bags will be allowed inside as part of the tight security measures, according to cardinal Malcolm Ranjith.
All public church services were cancelled after the Easter Sunday serial blasts that ripped through three churches and three high-end hotels, killing 253 people and injuring 500 others.
The prelate said Monday that vigilance committees formed by the residents of the parish would be responsible to identify individuals who enter their respective churches and parishioners will have to confirm their identity before entering a church.
The cardinal, who conducted a private memorial mass Sunday fearing a repeat of the Easter attacks, told the media that bags will not be allowed inside churches.
President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had also attended the private memorial mass.
Commenting on Wickremesinghe’s statement that the bombings could have been averted had the Counter-Terrorism Act been in force, he said amending the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) is better than bringing in a new piece of legislation to counter terrorism, the Daily Mirror reported.
“It is easier to amend the existing legislation rather than bringing in a new one. Effective measures should be taken to apprehend the individuals and groups responsible for these attacks in order to prevent people from taking the law into their own hands,” he said.
The religious leader said a new government comprising all parties should be appointed.
“No party should think of elections at this moment. We will even have to take to the streets and lead peaceful protests if the government continues to handle the situation in the manner it presently does. Action should be taken against ministers and MPs if they were found guilty of being part of the Easter Sunday bombings,” he was quoted as saying in the report.
Cardinal Ranjith said he wasn’t consulted prior to the appointment of a presidential commission to probe security lapses that led to the serial blasts. “We are oblivious to the backgrounds of the members in the commission. We urge the government to appoint another commission comprising religious leaders. Buddhist clergy is eligible to lead such a commission as they will look into the matter impartially,” he said.
The cardinal refused to accept a bullet-proof vehicle provided for his security by Wickremesinghe, saying what matters most at present is the safety of the people. He reiterated that much needs to be done to restore normalcy, Times Online reported.
A total of 106 suspects, including a Tamil medium teacher and a school principal, have been arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday blasts. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks, but the government has blamed local Islamist extremist group National Thowheeth Jamaath for the attacks.