Sri Lanka Easter bombings 2019
On 21 April 2019, Easter Sunday, three churches in Sri Lanka and three luxury hotels in the commercial capital, Colombo, were targeted in a series of coordinated Islamic State (IS)-related terrorist suicide bombings. Later that day, two smaller explosions occurred at a housing complex in Dematagoda and a guest house in Dehiwala. A total of 269 people were killed,[3][5] with over 200 of them being Christians,[16] including at least 45 foreign nationals,[17] three police officers, and nine[18] suicide bombers. An additional 500 were injured.[b] The church bombings were carried out during Easter services in Negombo, Batticaloa and Colombo; the hotels bombed included the Shangri-La, Cinnamon Grand, Kingsbury[24] and Tropical Inn.[c] According to the State Intelligence Service, a second wave of attacks was planned, but was prevented due to government raids.[29] According to Sri Lankan government officials, all nine suicide bombers involved in the attacks were Sri Lankan citizens associated with National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ), a local Islamist militant group founded by Zahran Hashim, and known for attacks against Buddhists and Sufis or the Jamathei Millathu Ibrahim (JMI), a smaller group of youth.[30][7][31] On 23 April, State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene theorized that the attack was in retaliation for the Christchurch mosque shootings which occurred the month before on 15 March 2019.[d] The direct linkage between the two attacks has been questioned by the government of New Zealand and by other experts. The NTJ had been stockpiling explosives since at least January 2019.[11][12][13] On 23 April 2019, the Amaq News Agency, a propaganda outlet for the Islamic State (IS), stated that "the perpetrators of the attack targeting the citizens of coalition countries and Christians in Sri Lanka were Islamic State fighters."[36] Sri Lanka was not part of the anti-IS coalition, yet the overwhelming majority of those killed in the bombings were Sri Lankan citizens.[37] IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who was previously believed to be either dead or retired, praised the attackers during an 18-minute video on a range of topics.[38] The Criminal Investigation Department, however, stated that there was no evidence of IS's direct involvement.[39] Security lapses leading to the attack, and the Sri Lankan government's failure to act on intelligence were highlighted during inquiries into the attacks. On 12 January 2023, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka ruled that the then-incumbent president Maithripala Sirisena and several other government authorities at the time failed to act on intelligence, and were ordered to pay compensation to victims.[40]
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Two Individuals Plead Guilty in Connection to Easter Bombings in Sri Lanka
Two individuals, Abu Hanifa Mohamed Musith and Amir Hamsa Mohamed Hamsa, have admitted their guilt in a case related to the illegal collection of explosives and firearms in Puttalam, Sri Lanka. The case is linked to the Easter bombings tha…
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Court of Appeal Dismisses Gotabaya Rajapaksa's Petition to Prevent Arrest in Easter Attacks Probe
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- 1 Oct 2026
Court of Appeal Dismisses Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's Writ Petition on Easter Attacks Probe
The Court of Appeal has dismissed a writ petition filed by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, which sought to prevent his arrest and detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in connection with investigations into the 2019 Ea…
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Man Arrested for Insulting Buddhism and Threatening Attacks on Sacred Sites in Sri Lanka
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- 1 Oct 2026 · Newsfirst
Sri Lanka's Court of Appeal Dismisses Former President Rajapaksa's Petition to Prevent Arrest in Easter Attacks Probe
Sri Lanka's Court of Appeal has dismissed a petition filed by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, which sought to prevent his arrest in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks investigation. The decision was made without a h…
- 23 Sept 2026 · The Hindu
Sri Lankan Court Hands Down Lengthy Sentences for Easter Sunday Bombings
A Sri Lankan court sentenced 15 individuals to 220 years each for their involvement in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which killed 279 people. The court found 15 out of 24 accused guilty, and all plan to appeal. The attacks, carried out…
- 23 Sept 2026 · The Guardian
Sri Lanka Court Convicts 15 in 2019 Easter Bombings, Imposes Lengthy Sentences
A Sri Lankan court has sentenced 15 individuals to over 200 years in prison each for their involvement in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which killed 267 and injured nearly 600. The attacks, targeting churches and hotels, were inspired b…
- 22 Sept 2026 · Wikipedia
On 22 September 2026, the High Court convicted 15 defendants and acquitted nine others over the attacks.
On 22 September 2026, the High Court convicted 15 defendants and acquitted nine others over the attacks.
- 28 Mar 2024 · Linkedin
A Personal Reflection on the Devastating 2019 Easter Attacks in Sri Lanka
The 2019 Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka were a tragic event that left 269 people dead and 500 injured. The coordinated bombings targeted churches and hotels in Colombo, with smaller explosions occurring later in the day. The attacks ha…
- 8 Oct 2021 · Ada Derana
Indictments Served in Mawanella Buddha Statue Vandalism Case
On October 8, indictments were served to 16 suspects involved in the vandalism of Buddha statues in Mawanella, Sri Lanka, in 2018. The case is being heard by High Court Judge Jagath Kahandagamage. The suspects were arrested following inves…
- 29 May 2019 · Combating Terrorism Center at West Point
Deadly Easter Sunday Bombings in Sri Lanka: A New Threat in South Asia
On Easter Sunday 2019, coordinated bombings in Sri Lanka killed hundreds and injured many more. The attacks, claimed by the Islamic State, were a surprise given the country's lack of prior jihadist violence. The bombers, including members…
- 25 Apr 2019
Sri Lankan Islamist Militant Zahran Hashim: Mastermind Behind 2019 Easter Bombings
Zahran Hashim, a Sri Lankan Islamist militant, was identified as the mastermind behind the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka. The coordinated attacks on churches and hotels resulted in 269 deaths and over 500 injuries. Hashim, who f…
- 23 Apr 2019 · Wikipedia
According to Sri Lankan government officials, all nine suicide bombers involved in the attacks were Sri Lankan citize…
According to Sri Lankan government officials, all nine suicide bombers involved in the attacks were Sri Lankan citizens associated with National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ), a local Islamist militant group founded by Zahran Hashim, and known…
- 1 Jan 2019 · Wikipedia
The Ministry for Religious and Cultural Affairs has proposed the Madrasa Education Regulatory Act to establish a Board u
The Ministry for Religious and Cultural Affairs has proposed the Madrasa Education Regulatory Act to establish a Board under the Ministry for "regulation, registration, supervision, control and development of education within Madrasas in S…
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The bombings killed 269 people and injured at least 500.
The bombings killed 269 people and injured at least 500. Initially, 359 fatalities were reported; the Ministry of Health later reduced the number by 106 after cross-referencing DNA samples to body parts. The majority of the fatalities were…
- 1 Jan 2019 · Wikipedia
The Church bombings resulted in the deaths of more than 200 Christians.
The Church bombings resulted in the deaths of more than 200 Christians.
- 30 Dec 2018 · Dailymirror
Investigation Launched into Buddha Statue Vandalism in Mawanella
The Minister of Housing, Construction, and Cultural Affairs has formed a committee to investigate the vandalism of Buddha statues in Mawanella. Four statues were damaged, and while they lack archaeological value, their religious significan…
- 26 Dec 2018
Suspect Arrested for Damaging Buddha Statues in Mawella, Sri Lanka
A suspect was arrested for damaging Buddha statues in Mawella, Sri Lanka. The incident occurred at a crossroads in Diduruwatta, Mawella, where the suspect attempted to damage a Buddha statue. Local youth apprehended the suspect, leading to…