Colombo: With two days left for Sri Lanka Presidential polls, votes of the minority community are likely to play a key role in the elections. Dismayed over April's Easter Sunday attack at St. Anthony Church that claimed more than 250 lives, the Christian community's vote, constituting seven per cent of Sri Lanka's total population, may go in anyone's favour.
ETV Bharat spoke exclusively to St. Anthony Church's father Jude Fernando ahead of the polls to figure out what is going on in the minds of Christian voters.
Dismayed over the investigation proceedings, father Fernando said, "We are yet to get justice. The church is insisting on justice and we need it. We need to find out who did and what happened."
"Earlier, commissions were appointed to probe the incident and the reports are out. And recently, a fresh commission was set up to investigate into the matter. We are waiting and cooperating with the probe agency to get justice," he added.
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When asked about how Christian votes will play a crucial role in the polls, he said, "We don't have any special inclination towards any political parties or we don't support any candidates. However, the church has encouraged voters to cast their votes as it is their right."
"This is not the first time we are going to the polls. The voters have their own choice and they will vote accordingly," Fernando added.
At large the Christian community is somewhat disheartened at the tardy pace with which the investigation is proceeding. The question that is often asked: When will be those responsible for the heinous attacks be held accountable? The government of the day, as many believe, is dragging its feet. There is a deep sense of sombre that prevails within the community.
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"The church organised three-four accompaniment journeys to help the Easter attack victims and their families to get them out of the trauma," he said, answering to a question on how the community is healing after the deadliest attack.
"With these accompaniment journeys, people live now and coming back to church with all these security measures," he informed.
When asked about how to fight against terrorism in Asian subcontinents, he said, "People in subcontinent live in peace and harmony. We have our own values, we have our own traditions."
Setting examples of India, Fernando said, "Asian countries like India and Sri Lanka, despite having differences among the communities, still live in peace and harmony. We need to prepare people with our cultural and traditional values to eradicate terrorism."
"The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Sri Lanka is representing the church. So they are putting the pressure. They have given the statement," he said, when asked whether the Vatican is pressurising to speed up the probe.
