Although Archbishop His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has expressed his views over delaying to take action against the suspects in the Easter Sunday attack, Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara said the US filed a lawsuit against Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind of the 9/11 terrorist attacks after 20 years.
The minister said while speaking at an event to declare open the Malabe Police Station that investigations are still being carried out into the Easter Sunday attack.
He said the Cardinal expresses his views from time to time over the investigations. "We can accept that because he represents the Catholic community in the country," he said.
"We know that the lawsuit against Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind behind the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Centre, was filed 20 years later. Also in 2015 there was an attack in France. The terrorists were prosecuted seven years later,"he said.
The minister said the Police have almost completed their investigation into the Easter Sunday attack.
He said cases have been filed against 32 persons in five High Courts. Also, indictments were filed against main accused Naufar Moulavi and Jafoor.
The minister said the Attorney General has appointed a three-judge bench of the High Court to look into the matter. The trials will continue from this month, he said.
Weerasekera said that no matter how long it takes, they will not allow any criminals to go free as long as the government exists.(Daily Mirror)