The unyielding quest of Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith to uncover the orchestrator of the devastating Easter Sunday terrorist bombings of April 2019 persists, even as five years have elapsed. Despite numerous committees convened, the elusive figure dubbed the 'Mahamolakaru' or mastermind remains unidentified. Yet, instead of resolution, the issue has metamorphosed into a political pawn, manipulated for electoral advantage. The predominantly Catholic victims of the local Islamic militias' onslaught have left the Catholic Church grappling with profound anguish and justified grievances.
Undoubtedly, the extremist faction led by Zaharan Hashim orchestrated the series of suicide bombings, a fact corroborated by investigations spearheaded by both local and foreign entities, including the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). However, the incessant clamor for a probe into the elusive mastermind's identity has diverted attention from the pressing concern of radicalization within Sri Lanka and the imperative to eradicate it at its source.
The preceding Yahapalana administration, in power during the catastrophic bombings, witnessed a seismic disruption in national security and the decimation of the country's vital tourism sector—a linchpin of its fragile economy. The ensuing foreign exchange crisis, catalyzed by the tourism downturn, precipitated Sri Lanka's most severe economic downturn in recent memory, with losses amounting to a staggering US $4 billion.
While the overwhelming majority of casualties were Catholics, the attacks reverberated across diverse communities, claiming the lives of 38 foreign nationals from countries including the United States, India, China, and the United Kingdom. The coordinated onslaught, targeting revered churches and luxury hotels, orchestrated a collective trauma that scarred the fabric of Sri Lankan society.
As the nation grapples with the haunting specter of the Easter Sunday bombings, the imperative lies not only in unmasking the mastermind but in addressing the broader imperative of countering radicalization and fostering unity in the face of adversity. The wounds inflicted by terror transcend religious and communal divides, necessitating a collective resolve to rebuild, reconcile, and forge a path toward lasting peace and security.
In the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attack, a chilling sense of déjà vu swept across the nation, reminiscent of the fear that pervaded during the tumultuous 30-year war. National security emerged as a paramount concern, casting a damning shadow over the then Yahapalana government, led by Maitripala Sirisena, accused of negligence that allowed the insidious growth of Islamic militias culminating in the devastating bombings.
In the midst of this turmoil, Cardinal Ranjith emerged as a formidable critic of the government, his vocal condemnations subtly steering public sentiment towards Gotabaya Rajapaksa as a beacon of hope for restoring national security. Rajapaksa's subsequent electoral victory was underpinned by promises to address the nation's security woes, yet the elusive mastermind continued to evade capture, leaving the Catholic Church and Cardinal Ranjith disheartened and disillusioned.
During the recent commemoration of the Easter Sunday attack, Cardinal Ranjith launched a blistering tirade against former President Rajapaksa, accusing him of reneging on his pledges to deliver justice to the victims and impeding the investigation by ousting implicated officials. Rajapaksa vehemently refuted these allegations, sparking a renewed political firestorm.
Now, Cardinal Ranjith finds himself embroiled once more in the political quagmire, accused of wielding his influence to sway Catholic voters towards parties aligned with his agenda in the upcoming Presidential elections. However, amidst the partisan fervor, the Cardinal's efforts may once again be in vain, as the elusive mastermind remains beyond grasp, shrouded in a murky political narrative implicating unseen forces orchestrating the attack for political gain.
As the political machinations intensify, the specter of justice for the victims looms ever more distant, eclipsed by the shadow of political expediency and manipulation. For Cardinal Ranjith, the road ahead appears fraught with disappointment and disillusionment, as the quest for truth and accountability becomes ensnared in the tangled web of Sri Lanka's volatile political landscape.
ISIS, or the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, is designated as a terrorist organization by numerous countries, including the United States.
In conclusion, the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka has seen a complex web of political maneuvering, international scrutiny, and a persistent quest for justice. While foreign powers, including the United States, have acknowledged ISIS involvement and have a vested interest in uncovering the truth, diplomatic channels have not been utilized to demand further investigation into the mastermind behind the bombings. Despite assistance from foreign agencies like the FBI, the elusive figure remains at large.
It is imperative for authorities and concerned individuals to share the findings of these investigations to prevent the mastermind from slipping through the cracks once again. Moreover, the singular focus on identifying the mastermind has diverted attention from the broader issue of radicalization and its potential impact on communal harmony. Signs of extremism were evident prior to the attacks, yet received insufficient attention.
As the nation grapples with these challenges, it is essential to maintain focus on addressing radicalization while pursuing justice for the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks. Failure to do so risks further destabilizing the delicate fabric of Sri Lankan society and undermining efforts towards lasting peace and security.