Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, Director of Communications for the Archdiocese of Colombo, firmly rejected the findings of the Committee of Inquiry chaired by retired High Court Judge A.N.J. De Alwis. This comes in response to the public release of details from the report by former MP Udaya Gammanpila during a press conference in Colombo yesterday (21st October) .
Speaking at a press conference held today (22nd October), Rev. Fr. Gamini pointed out a significant conflict of interest, stating that the committee's chair, A.N.J. De Alwis, is the sister of Prasanna De Alwis, who had been accused of concealing and destroying evidence in a high-profile murder investigation. This connection, he argued, undermines the credibility of the report.
Fr. Gamini stressed that the involvement of A.N.J. De Alwis in leading the investigation raises serious concerns about the impartiality and independence of the findings, declaring that "a report produced under these circumstances cannot be regarded as fair or objective."
"Therefore, we completely reject this report," Rev. Fr. Gamini concluded. The Archdiocese of Colombo continues to call for transparency and justice regarding the Easter Sunday attacks.
