In a significant ruling, Sri Lanka’s High Court has found 15 individuals guilty of involvement in the tragic Easter Sunday bombings of 2019, which resulted in the deaths of 270 people and left over 500 injured. Among those convicted is Naufer Moulavi, identified by prosecutors as the orchestrator of the suicide attacks.
While 15 men faced convictions, nine others were acquitted. The coordinated assaults targeted three churches and three upscale hotels, marking one of the deadliest events in Sri Lanka since the conclusion of the civil war in 2009. Among the deceased were 45 foreign nationals, with all attackers perishing in the incidents.
Investigations have attributed the bombings to Islamist extremists, with the accused being part of Sri Lanka’s Muslim minority. Out of the 25 originally indicted, one suspect died while in custody. The court proceedings were adjourned before sentencing could take place.
Details of the Attack
The heinous attacks claimed the lives of many Sri Lankans, including children, and also affected high-profile individuals such as celebrity chef Shantha Mayadunne and her daughter. Several families, including a family of five, were among the casualties, alongside hotel staff from the targeted locations. The foreign casualties included nationals from India, the UK, the USA, Australia, and several other countries.
Notably, three of Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen’s children were killed while staying at the Shangri-La hotel during the holiday.
Intelligence Failures and Accountability
Following the bombings, Sri Lankan officials conceded to a significant lapse in intelligence. Reports indicated that a warning from Indian authorities regarding potential attacks was inadequately disseminated among local security forces. In a landmark ruling in 2023, the Supreme Court mandated former president Maithripala Sirisena to provide substantial compensation to the victims, citing his failure to ensure national security.
Furthermore, two former high-ranking officials received death sentences for their criminal negligence linked to the bombings, although such sentences are commonly commuted to life imprisonment in Sri Lanka, given the longstanding moratorium on executions.
Ongoing Investigations and Allegations
Public protests have been persistent in Sri Lanka, with citizens demanding justice for the Easter attack victims. The recent verdict arrives amid a broader investigation into former intelligence chief Suresh Sallay, who is accused of collaborating with extremists to execute the bombings. These serious allegations echo claims made in a 2023 documentary by Channel 4, suggesting that the attacks were allowed to unfold to enhance the popularity of the Rajapaksa political family.
Sallay, apprehended in February, has denied all accusations against him. Former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who assumed office shortly after the attacks and campaigned on countering Islamist extremism, has also refuted these allegations. Currently, he is prohibited from leaving the country and has sought legal measures to avoid arrest linked to the ongoing investigations.
