Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith retracted his earlier statement where he had claimed that the 2019 Easter attacks were used by a group of influential people to grab power in the country. 

According to reports in local media, he now clarified that he never called the 2019 bombings politically motivated. He refuted media reports, claiming he blamed political parties that used the perpetrators as pawns to “strengthen their political power." 

“My comments have been misunderstood. I never said there is no Islamic extremism or expansionism in the country,” the cardinal was quoted as saying by Economy Next. “I wasn’t referring to any political force. I was talking about Wahhabism and how it might be a tool used by certain powerful countries,”  he added.

He clarified on Monday that he was simply referring to international forces and their links to Wahhabism. The 2019 serial bombings in Sri Lanka killed 259 people. Following the attack, the Rajapksa brothers, considered Sinhalese nationalists and tough on terrorism, stormed to power.

He made it clear “ I wasn’t referring to any local political forces or leaders.”

The controversial remark drew flak from other bishops in the country, forcing him to give clarification on the statement.