The Vatican has officially honored 167 individuals who perished in the 2019 Easter bombings in Sri Lanka, dubbing them "heroes of faith." This acknowledgment by Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith coincided with a solemn event commemorating the sixth anniversary of the heinous suicide attacks that targeted Catholic churches and luxury hotels during Easter Sunday services, resulting in 269 deaths.
The bombings marked a significant increase in violence in Sri Lanka, a nation that had not experienced such turmoil since the conclusion of its civil war in 2009. While the attackers were identified as Muslim extremists, the aftermath of the bombings has been marred by controversy and frustration from both victims' families and the country’s minority Christian community. Many believe that the government failed to act on intelligence warnings that could have thwarted the tragic events.
Public outcry has intensified particularly as it became known that crucial warnings were neglected by the security forces and the relevant government authorities. In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka directed then-President Maithripala Sirisena to provide compensation to the victims, stating that actionable intelligence was disregarded, allowing the attacks to occur.
A complex legal battle ensued following the bombings, with 25 individuals charged with orchestrating the violence in 2021. Observers have expressed concern that the sheer volume of charges—approximately 23,000—alongside a substantial witness list could lead to a protracted legal process. Cardinal Ranjith has repeatedly accused the previous government of attempting to silence investigations that might expose those truly accountable for the attacks.
Further fueling public anger, a Channel 4 investigation in 2023 suggested potential connections between state officials, the military, and the assailants, proposing that the bombings served as a political strategy to enhance national security narratives ahead of presidential elections. Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who secured victory shortly after the attacks, denied these allegations during a parliamentary session.
With a new president and parliamentary leadership installed in 2024, the topic has resurfaced. The current government has characterized the bombings as a plot by a "certain group" aimed at seizing political power. They have pledged to reinvigorate investigations into the bombings, with a comprehensive report from a presidential inquiry commission submitted to investigative authorities for further evaluation.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya emphasized the administration's commitment to ensuring justice and restoring public trust, declaring that uncovering the truth behind the tragedy is a priority for the government.
