UN presses Sri Lanka for results in Easter bombing probe as victims’ families await justice seven years after deadly 2019 attacks.
Newsroom (21/04/2026 Gaudium Press ) Sri Lanka is facing renewed international pressure to deliver concrete results in its long-running investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, as the country marks seven years since one of the deadliest attacks in its history.
On April 21, the United Nations called on the government to move beyond promises and produce tangible outcomes in the probe into the coordinated suicide attacks that killed 279 people, including 45 foreigners. The bombings targeted three churches filled with Easter worshippers and three hotels, leaving hundreds more injured and devastating communities across the island.
Marc-Andre Franche, the UN’s top envoy in Sri Lanka, said that despite multiple investigations and renewed commitments following the formation of a new government in September 2024, victims’ families and survivors are still waiting for answers.
“Public commitments by the government to pursue justice are important and must be welcomed,” Franche said, emphasizing that meaningful progress remains overdue.
Investigations and Allegations
Several inquiries, including a parliamentary probe, have pointed to possible involvement of state intelligence units. In October 2021, prosecutors indicted 25 individuals accused of being co-conspirators in the attacks. That case, involving more than 23,000 charges, is ongoing and being heard before a panel of three Supreme Court judges, with victims now beginning to testify.
Earlier this year, the investigation took a significant turn with the arrest of retired army major general Suresh Sallay, the former head of the State Intelligence Service. He has been accused of aiding and abetting the attackers but denies the allegations. Sallay is currently being held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Investigators have also alleged that the attacks may have been exploited to create political instability, paving the way for Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s successful presidential bid in November 2019. Rajapaksa, who was later ousted in July 2022 amid widespread protests over economic mismanagement and corruption, has denied any involvement in a conspiracy.
Franche noted that efforts to uncover the truth behind not only the bombings but also other serious crimes have been hindered by political interference and misinformation.
Church Demands Accountability
As commemorations took place across the country, the Catholic Church renewed its call for truth, accountability, and justice. At St. Anthony’s Church—where 51 people were killed—security was tight as armed personnel guarded the مراسم while diplomats and religious leaders observed two minutes of silence following the ringing of church bells.
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith stated that political interference has obstructed justice, echoing long-standing frustrations within the Church and among victims’ families.
Fr Rohan Silva, head of the Centre for Society and Religion, described the current moment as one of both progress and persistent obstacles. He pointed to Sallay’s arrest as “a big breakthrough” but stressed that key demands remain unmet.
Among them is the appointment of an independent special prosecutor, a measure the Church considers essential for ensuring credibility and transparency in the legal process.
“We are still waiting,” Fr Rohan said. “It has been promised, but we have not yet seen it realised. We feel it is very important, and we must continue to pressurise the government.”
Ongoing Struggle for Truth
The findings of a 2023 Channel 4 documentary reignited debate over the handling of the investigation and the integrity of official conclusions. Despite some advances, those seeking accountability argue that significant gaps remain.
Seven years after the attacks, Sri Lanka continues to grapple with unanswered questions, competing narratives, and the challenge of delivering justice in a politically sensitive environment. For survivors and the families of the victims, the passage of time has only deepened the urgency for truth.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from UCA and Vatican News
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