News Today: Catholic Church letter of demand to Wimal Weerawansa Easter 2019 disputes his false claim about Archbishop’s absence.

The Catholic Church of Sri Lanka has issued a legal letter of demand to National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa over a false and misleading statement he made during a recent television interview. The statement in question alleged that Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith did not participate in the Easter Sunday Morning Mass in 2019—a claim that the Church firmly refutes.

Colombo Archdiocese spokesman, Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, strongly condemned Weerawansa’s assertion, clarifying that the Archbishop has officiated the Easter Sunday Mass every year, including in 2019. The Catholic Church states this misinformation could mislead the public and damage the integrity of its leadership.

Fr. Fernando emphasized that Easter Sunday Mass, in accordance with Catholic tradition, is celebrated on the eve of Easter Sunday—usually at midnight on Holy Saturday. Therefore, the term “Easter Sunday Morning Mass” does not accurately reflect Church customs.

“We are deeply concerned by the implication in Weerawansa’s statement, suggesting the Archbishop had prior knowledge of the bombings and therefore did not attend the Mass,” Fr. Fernando remarked during a press briefing in Colombo.

He further stated that such allegations not only distort the truth but also carry a dangerous undertone, especially regarding an event as tragic and sensitive as the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 2019, where two Catholic churches and an Evangelical church in Batticaloa were bombed.

“The freedom of speech is important in any democracy. However, that freedom must not be abused by spreading false narratives with malicious intent,” Fr. Fernando warned.

The Catholic Church has now taken legal steps to demand an immediate retraction and apology from Weerawansa. The letter of demand seeks accountability for the false claim, which the Church believes was made either recklessly or deliberately to stir public distrust.

Parliamentarians and civil society groups have also weighed in, urging all public figures to handle sensitive national matters with care and truthfulness.