Court convicts 15 over Easter bombings

Sri Lanka's High Court found 15 men guilty of plotting the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks that killed 270 people and injured over 500. Each received sentences ranging from 200 to 260 years.

“The 15 defendants on Tuesday were each given prison terms ranging from 200 to 260 years.”

Mastermind Naufer Moulavi among convicted

Naufer Moulavi, who prosecutors said masterminded the suicide bombings, was among those found guilty. Nine other men were acquitted in the trial.

Attacks killed 270, wounded 500 plus

Coordinated blasts hit three churches and three luxury hotels on Easter Sunday 2019. Most victims were Sri Lankans, including children, but 45 foreigners died, including 11 Indians, 8 Britons and 5 Americans.

“Forty-five foreigners were among the dead.”

Intelligence failures allowed attacks

Sri Lankan authorities acknowledged a major intelligence lapse. India had warned about the attacks, but the tip-off was not properly shared. In 2023, the Supreme Court ordered former president Maithripala Sirisena to pay compensation for security failures.

Ongoing probe into alleged cover-up

Investigators are examining whether former intelligence chief Suresh Sallay orchestrated the bombings with extremists. A 2023 Channel 4 documentary alleged the attacks were allowed to happen to boost the Rajapaksa family's political popularity.

Rajapaksa denies involvement allegations

Former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, elected months after the attacks on a security platform, denies allegations he was involved in a cover-up. He has been banned from leaving the country and asked courts to prevent his arrest.