The Catholic Church has welcomed the court verdict against those convicted in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, but says the judgment should not be considered the end of efforts to uncover the full circumstances behind the bombings.

Speaking to reporters, Director of Mass Communications for the Archdiocese of Colombo, Rev. Fr. Jude Krishantha Fernando, said the Church was satisfied that a verdict had been delivered after victims and their families had waited for years for justice. 

He said the judgment would also send a strong message against religious extremism, stressing that religion should never be distorted to justify violence.

However, Fr. Krishantha said those convicted represented only one part of the case and called for investigations to continue into whether others were involved in facilitating the attacks or allowing them to take place.

He alleged that intelligence and security officials had sufficient information to prevent the attacks but failed to act, and called for investigators to establish whether there was any wider involvement or motive behind that failure. 

Previous official inquiries have examined the handling of advanced intelligence, while the Supreme Court has also ruled on fundamental rights petitions concerning failures by senior officials. 

Fr. Krishantha also called for further legal action, where supported by evidence, against individuals identified in previous investigations and commission recommendations, saying the Church would consider the justice process complete only after all those responsible for the attacks and any related failures were properly investigated.

The Church has consistently called for investigations to identify whether there were additional individuals behind the attacks and for those responsible to be prosecuted. (Newswire)

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The accused, including Naufer Mawlawi, were brought before the Hulftsdorp High Court this morning as the long‑awaited verdict in the Easter Sunday terrorist attack case is scheduled to be issued today.

The case, filed by the Attorney General, charges the 24 accused under more than 23,270 counts, including conspiracy and aiding and abetting in the 2019 bombings. A total of 2,309 complainants provided evidence during the proceedings.

The verdict will be delivered by the three‑judge bench comprising Navaratne Marasinghe, Ramanadan Kannan, and Sujeewa Nishshanka.

Police have deployed special security teams at the Hulftsdorp court premises to ensure order on the day of judgment.

The trial’s evidence examination concluded on August 24, after which the bench announced that the final verdict would be pronounced today. (Newswire)

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The Colombo Special Three‑Judge High Court will deliver its verdict tomorrow (22) in the main trial relating to the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, one of Sri Lanka’s most devastating tragedies.

The judgment will be pronounced before the bench comprising Navaratne Marasinghe, Sujeewa Nishshanka, and Ramanadan Kannan.

The Attorney General filed 23,270 charges against 24 accused, including Naufer Maulavi, for aiding, abetting, and conspiring with Zahran Hashim and seven other suicide bombers. The charges include terrorism, conspiracy, and direct involvement in the coordinated bombings.

During the trial, the court accepted 10 confessions as evidence and marked 2,076 productions, ranging from hidden bomb‑making materials, chemicals, and firearms to swords and explosives.

The Easter Sunday attacks killed 274 people, including about 40 foreign tourists and 35 children, while 577 others were injured.

Originally, charges were filed against 25 accused under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, but the indictment was amended after the 17th accused died in prison custody, reducing the number of defendants to 24.

The attacks on April 21, 2019 targeted St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade, St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya, Zion Church in Batticaloa, three Colombo hotels including Shangri‑La, and the Tropical Inn restaurant.

Investigations were carried out by the CID, TID, and several police stations nationwide, leading to the Attorney General’s request in August 2021 for a Special High Court. Then Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya appointed Judges Damith Thotawatta, Amal Ranaraja, and Navaratne Marasinghe to preside.

The indictment, exceeding 5,000 pages in Sinhala, was served between October–November 2021, later translated into Tamil and English in March 2022. 

Following amendments in February 2023, the accused pleaded not guilty, prompting the trial to proceed.

Defense requests for bail were rejected, with the accused ordered to remain in remand custody until conclusion.

Although each accused faced around 930 charges, the bench ruled under Section 420 of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act No. 15 of 1979 that admissions relating to the deaths and injuries would stand without calling witnesses for those charges.

Out of nearly 3,000 witnesses, evidence from 547 was heard, alongside 2,077 documents, including DNA reports, Government Analyst findings, and Judicial Medical Officer reports.

The prosecution’s evidence examination began on October 10, 2022 and concluded on August 13, 2026, spanning two and a half years and about 250 trial days. (Newswire)

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The 24 accused in the Easter Sunday terrorist attack case, facing a total of 23,270 charges, have filed their written submissions before the Colombo Permanent Trial‑at‑Bar High Court.

Following the submissions, the three‑judge bench announced that the verdict will be delivered on September 22.

The case is being heard before Justices Navaratne Marasinghe, Ramanadan Kannan, and Sujeewa Nishshanka. 

The Attorney General filed the case against the group, which includes Naufar Maulavi, holding them accountable for their alleged involvement in the 2019 attacks. (Newswire)

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The Criminal Investigation Department has obtained approval to detain and continue questioning retired Major General Suresh Sallay, the former head of the State Intelligence Service, for an additional 90 days in connection with the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.

The extension was granted under Section 9(1) of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 48 of 1979, following an order issued by the Minister of Defence.

Sallay was arrested on February 25 at Peliyagoda and has since been held by the CID as investigations into the 2019 attacks continue. (Newswire)

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Additional Solicitor General President’s Counsel Dileepa Peiris has called for an end to the practice of merely forwarding important official communications with the notation “FNA” — For Necessary Action — citing the handling of intelligence ahead of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.

Peiris said it was time to move away from the “FNA” culture and ensure officials take responsibility for acting on critical information rather than simply passing it down the chain.

Referring to intelligence received ahead of the Easter Sunday attacks, Peiris said information communicated by the then State Intelligence Service chief on April 9, 2019, had been forwarded by then IGP Pujith Jayasundara to four divisions, including a unit responsible for VIP security.

He said the communication had been forwarded with the notation “FNA,” questioning whether such an approach was adequate when dealing with intelligence concerning a serious security threat.

Peiris also recalled that the Attorney General’s Department subsequently filed 855 charges against former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and former IGP Jayasundara over their alleged failure to take adequate action despite receiving prior intelligence.

Peiris said the experience demonstrated why merely writing “FNA” and forwarding information should no longer be considered sufficient when officials have a responsibility to act. (Newswire)

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The Court of Appeal today (23) ordered that further consideration of the writ petition filed by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, seeking to prevent his arrest and detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act in connection with investigations into the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, be postponed until August 3.

The petition was taken up this morning, with President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva appearing on behalf of Rajapaksa and presenting reply submissions.

Following the submissions, the bench directed that the matter be deferred to August 3 for further arguments. (Newswire)

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The Court of Appeal today resumed consideration of a writ petition filed by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa seeking an order to prevent his arrest and detention in relation to investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.

Rajapaksa appeared before court today (23) as the petition was taken up for further examination.

The matter had previously been considered on July 9 for the fourth day before a bench comprising Court of Appeal President Rohantha Abeysooriya and Justice Sarath Dissanayake, when further proceedings were postponed until today. (Newswire)

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The Court of Appeal today postponed to July 06 further submissions in the petition filed by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa seeking an order to prevent his arrest in connection with investigations into the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks. 

The petition was heard for the second consecutive day before a bench comprising Court of Appeal President Justice Rohanthaa Abeysuriya and Justice Sarath Disanayake.

Appearing for Rajapaksa, President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva presented additional submissions during today’s proceedings. 

Following this, the bench ordered that further arguments be deferred until July 6. (Newswire)

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The Court of Appeal today ordered that further consideration of the petition filed by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, seeking an order to prevent his arrest in connection with investigations into the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, be postponed until June 24.

The petition was taken up before a bench comprising Justices Rohantha Abeysuriya and Sarath Disanayake.

Appearing for the petitioner, President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva presented submissions on behalf of Rajapaksa. Deputy Solicitor General Suharshi Herath represented the respondents.

The respondents named in the petition are the Inspector General of Police, Criminal Investigation Department Director Shani Abeysekara, Acting Director Madhava Gunawardena, and the Attorney General.

The case will return to court on June 24 for further consideration. (Newswire)

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The United National Party (UNP) has issued a statement questioning whether the Sri Lankan government has sought access to material from the U.S. investigation into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.

The party recalled that then‑Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had requested a full investigation by the U.S. Government immediately after the attacks, citing limited expertise within local agencies. Wickremesinghe also made a similar request during a phone call with the U.S. President Donald Trump on April 22, 2019.

The FBI subsequently conducted a comprehensive investigation in collaboration with Sri Lankan authorities including the CID, Military Intelligence, and State Intelligence Services. A report was handed over to the Sri Lankan government and accepted by all relevant agencies.

The UNP noted that FBI Special Agent Merrilee R. Godwin filed a 71‑page affidavit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on November 12, 2020, following a two‑year probe. A criminal case was filed in Los Angeles on December 11, 2020, naming suspects already detained in Sri Lanka.

According to the UNP, all material from the U.S. investigation remains with the FBI and the Department of Justice. 

The party questioned whether the Sri Lankan government has formally requested this material since restarting its own investigation, and if not, why such a step has not been taken. 

The UNP stressed that the documents must be made available to judicial authorities in Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

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The Colombo Permanent High Court Trial‑at‑Bar has fixed July 31 to deliver verdicts in two high‑profile cases against former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and former Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara, both accused of criminal neglect in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.

The Attorney General filed charges alleging that despite receiving intelligence warnings of the imminent attacks, the officials failed to take preventive measures, amounting to dereliction of duty.

The case against Hemasiri Fernando was heard today before the three‑judge bench comprising Priyantha Liyanage, Viraj Weerasooriya, and Thilakaratne Bandara. 

Counsel Chaminda Athukorala concluded oral submissions on behalf of Fernando, after which the bench announced the verdict date.

Meanwhile, the trial against Pujith Jayasundara concluded last Friday, with the same bench ordering that judgment in his case, too, be delivered on July 31. (Newswire)

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The Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar has announced that the verdict in the case against former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara, linked to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, will be delivered on July 31.

Jayasundara faces charges of criminal neglect of duty for allegedly failing to act on intelligence warnings of an imminent terrorist attack. 

The case was taken up today (12) before the Trial-at-Bar bench comprising Judges Priyantha Liyanage, Viraj Weerasooriya, and Thilakaratne Bandara. Oral and written submissions from all parties have now been concluded.

Meanwhile, the parallel case against former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, also facing similar allegations, was heard today. 

Additional Solicitor General Sudarshana de Silva presented submissions for the complainant, while Attorney Chaminda Athukorala appeared for Fernando. The court ordered that Athukorala’s further submissions be continued on Monday (15).

The two high-profile cases are connected to proceedings surrounding the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks. (Newswire)

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The Attorney General’s Department today (12) informed the Court of Appeal that no decision has been taken at this stage to arrest or detain Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Waruna Jayasundara under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Deputy Solicitor General Suharshi Herath, appearing for the Attorney General, made the announcement during the hearing of a writ petition filed by Jayasundara. 

The petition seeks an order preventing his arrest and detention in connection with investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.

Following submissions, the Court of Appeal directed that the petition be taken up again next Wednesday (17). (Newswire)

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The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today ordered an overseas travel ban on former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and two army officers in connection with ongoing investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.

Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena also ordered the Court Registrar to immediately forward the order to the Controller of Immigration and Emigration.

The orders were issued when the case involving retired Major General Suresh Sallay, former Director of the State Intelligence Service, was taken up in court. 

Sallay has been named as a suspect in the proceedings. (Newswire)

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Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris on Wednesday told the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court that investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks were facing serious obstacles due to alleged intimidation of witnesses by Army intelligence personnel, while vowing that all conspirators would be brought before the court before the eighth anniversary of the attacks.

Making submissions when the case over alleged attempts to derail investigations into the 2018 Vavunathivu police killings and the 2019 Sainthamaruthu explosion was taken up, Peiris said several witnesses who had given statements before the court were being pressured to withdraw their evidence.

He alleged that after the last hearing, Army intelligence officers had visited the home of a witness and threatened the individual.

Peiris further claimed of a plan to plant weapons at the witness’s residence, and a plan had been made to arrest the person through another law enforcement unit.

The case was called before Isuru Neththikumara.

Meanwhile, former State Intelligence Service Director, retired Major General Suresh Sallay, who is in remand custody as the third suspect, was produced before the court by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

During submissions, Peiris said the Easter Sunday attacks were part of a larger organised conspiracy and alleged earlier opportunities to uncover those responsible had been deliberately suppressed.

He also told the court that investigators would not allow the case to reach its eighth anniversary without action.

“We will bring all conspirators before the court within a year,” he said, referring to the upcoming eighth anniversary of the Easter Sunday bombings in 2027.

Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara observed that the matter was highly sensitive and stressed that facts placed before the court must be capable of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

“This is not a game,” the Magistrate said, urging investigators to present evidence that would stand in court.

Counsel appearing for Suresh Sallay rejected the allegations and said many incidents referred to by the prosecution had occurred when his client was neither serving as the intelligence chief nor in the country.

After considering submissions, the Magistrate extended the remand order on Suresh Sallay and directed the CID to produce him again on the next hearing date. (Newswire)

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the appointment of a new committee to oversee the implementation of recommendations made following the Easter Sunday Attacks.

The committee will comprise an expert in counter‑terrorism and national security, together with representatives from relevant ministries and institutions, and will function under the supervision of the Presidential Secretariat.

The move is aimed at ensuring the effective implementation of the recommendations made by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Easter Sunday attacks and the then Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security, Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said.

Although Cabinet approval was first granted in May 2021 to implement the recommendations and propose measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents, officials noted that no systematic, formal, or sustainable mechanism has yet been established to monitor progress. As a result, there has been no effective evaluation of how far the recommendations have been put into practice, the minister said.

“This is a complex process, and we are not prepared to relinquish any part of it. We will also review reports by previous governments and consider their recommendations,” he said, responding to questions on why the measure is being implemented at this stage, years after it was discussed in Parliament.

The newly approved committee is expected to provide a broad, organized structure prioritizing public and national security, while ensuring accountability and sustained monitoring of the recommendations. (Newswire)

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The Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, says investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks are making progress under the current government.

Addressing the special mass held this morning to mark seven years since the attacks, the Archbishop noted that certain factions are attempting to obstruct the investigations.

He expressed regret over the Attorney General and his Department delaying action despite directives from the Presidential Commission to initiate proceedings against officials, including Presidents, Defence Ministry officials, and Police, who failed to carry out their duties in connection with the attacks.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith further stated that it is essential for the Criminal Investigations Department to investigate individuals directly or indirectly involved in the attacks, irrespective of their status.

“Finding the mastermind of the Easter attacks is ensuring justice and upholding the fundamental rights of the victims and their families,” he said.

The Archbishop also called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to fulfil his promise made at Katuwapitiya Church in October 2024 that the government would not allow the truth to fade with time.

He urged the President to conduct a comprehensive, truth‑based investigation to uncover the reality behind the 2019 Easter attacks, adding that they hope current efforts will be continued.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith stressed that their struggle for justice will not end until the truth is revealed. (Newswire)

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Churches across Sri Lanka fell into solemn silence at 8:45 am today (21) as bells tolled in unison to honour the victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.

The nationwide commemoration formed part of special programmes held across churches in remembrance of the victims

At the St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade, Colombo, where one of the attacks occurred, religious leaders and dignitaries gathered for a special mass and lit candles in memory of the victims.

Today marks seven years since the 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings, in which at least 250 people were killed by suicide bombers who targeted churches and hotels. (Newswire)

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A new report released ahead of the seventh anniversary of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks says Sri Lanka’s long-running investigations are only now showing signs of progress, while warning that key questions remain unanswered.

The report titled “Memory, Pain and the Hope”, published by the Centre for Society and Religion (CSR), highlights that despite multiple probes over the years, justice has yet to be fully delivered and crucial evidence has not been made public. 

The CSR notes that at least eight separate investigations have been conducted since the coordinated bombings on April 21, 2019, which targeted churches, hotels and other locations, killing more than 250 people and injuring hundreds. 

According to the report, several of these investigations revealed indications that the attacks may not have been carried out solely by extremist preacher Zahran Hashim and his group, pointing instead to the possibility of a “hidden hand” behind the operation. 

The report stresses that uncovering all those responsible, including any alleged masterminds, remains essential to delivering justice and preventing similar attacks in the future.

It also raises concerns over delays, lack of transparency, and alleged interference in investigations, including the transfer of investigators and failure to release full reports of key commissions.

Among its key recommendations, the CSR calls for:

• The publication of all investigation reports and evidence
• Protection for investigators from pressure or threats
• A fully empowered independent commission with local and foreign experts
• Swift legal action against those identified as responsible

The report further highlights that as many as 41 cases related to the attacks have emerged, underscoring the complexity and scale of the investigations. 

While noting recent developments as a “foundation for hope,” the CSR warns that sustained public pressure will be required to ensure accountability.

The organisation urged authorities to make 2026 a turning point in the pursuit of justice, stating that victims and their families continue to seek truth and closure even seven years after the tragedy. 

Full report: https://www.newswire.lk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CSR-report-on-Easter-Attacks-Memory-Pain-Seeking-Justice-After-07-Years-17Apr2026-Eng-full-report.pdf  (Newswire)

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