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Six Years After Easter Attack: Roots of this violence are not religious, but political. - NewsNow - English

Six Years After Easter Attack: Roots of this violence are not religious, but political.

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Humanity bears the shared responsibility of caring for and managing the world in a just and compassionate manner. When this duty is compromised for selfish or political gain—especially by turning against humanity itself—it amounts to an act of collective self-destruction.

Sri Lanka has witnessed several tragic incidents that reflect this harsh reality. Among them, the Easter Sunday attack six years ago stands out as a painful reminder of the consequences of hate, division, and political manipulation. The Christian community was the direct target of the violence, but in the aftermath, the Muslim community was made to bear the burden of blame.

What followed was a wave of repression against Sri Lankan Muslims—ranging from restrictions on Islamic literature, including Quran translations, to the surveillance of religious institutions and attempts to label an entire community as a threat. These actions have had long-term impacts on social harmony and religious freedom in the country.

Emerging narratives over the years have pointed to broader and more complex motives behind the attacks. Names of key figures, including former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan (Pillayan), and individuals across different communities have surfaced in various reports and investigations.

In a special Mass held on April 21st, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith emphasized that the existing political culture played a significant role in enabling the attacks. President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, speaking in Polonnaruwa on April 20th, echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the violence was orchestrated to manipulate political power.

Despite growing evidence pointing to a politically driven agenda behind the attacks, Sri Lankan Muslims continue to face marginalization under the banner of combating “Islamic extremism.” This has perpetuated stigma and fear, distorting the public narrative.

In this context, a recent joint statement issued by 17 leading Muslim organizations, including the All Ceylon Jammiyyathul Ulama, has drawn attention. The statement asserts that the Easter Sunday attacks were not only acts of terrorism but also part of a larger conspiracy to tarnish the image of Islam and vilify the Muslim community.

With both state leaders and religious figures acknowledging the political motivations behind the attack, the ongoing repression of the Muslim community can no longer be justified. The narrative presented by Muslim civil society offers a sobering reflection of a deeper truth—that the roots of this violence are not religious, but political.

As we mark six years since the tragic events of Easter Sunday, the Muslim community in Sri Lanka continues to seek clarity, justice, and peace. If this course of injustice continues unchallenged, the future for religious harmony in Sri Lanka remains uncertain.

Ultimately, the responsibility of governing the world with justice and compassion lies with all of humanity. Exploiting religion or ethnicity for political or personal gain is not just an affront to any one group—it is a betrayal of our collective future.

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