The Vatican has officially recognized 167 victims of the 2019 Easter bombings in Sri Lanka, designating them as “heroes of faith.” This announcement was made by Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith during a commemorative event marking the sixth anniversary of the tragic suicide attacks, which targeted Catholic churches and luxury hotels, claiming a total of 269 lives.
Impact of the bombings and ongoing controversy
The devastating bombings represented a significant moment of violence in Sri Lanka, a country that had largely seen peace since the end of its civil war in 2009. The victims honored by the Vatican were primarily Catholic worshippers attending the Easter Sunday mass at the targeted locations. Families of the deceased, along with members of the minority Christian community, have voiced their frustrations over the government’s perceived inaction in addressing the bombings, which were claimed by extremist Muslim groups.
Public outrage intensified as reports revealed that intelligence warnings regarding potential attacks were not acted upon by the authorities. In a significant ruling, the country’s Supreme Court directed former president Maithripala Sirisena to compensate the victims for neglecting actionable intelligence that could have prevented the tragedy.
Legal proceedings and political implications
In 2021, a trial commenced against 25 individuals accused of orchestrating the attacks, but the process has been hindered by the sheer volume of 23,000 charges filed. Legal experts have cautioned that the complexity of the case, coupled with an extensive witness list, could result in years of delays in achieving justice.
“We reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that justice is served. Ongoing efforts to investigate the attacks and uncover all truths without obstruction or delay remain a top priority,” stated Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya.
Cardinal Ranjith and the Catholic community have accused the government of covering up aspects of the investigation, allegedly to protect those behind the attacks. A 2023 documentary by Channel 4 amplified these concerns, suggesting possible connections between government officials and the perpetrators, raising the alarming proposition that the attacks may have been politically motivated.
The political landscape shifted following the bombings, with Gotabaya Rajapaksa rising to power shortly afterward, campaigning on a platform focused on national security. In parliament, he denied all allegations raised in the documentary. However, following the election of a new president and parliament in 2024, the investigations into the bombings have been revived, with the new government asserting that the attacks were a conspiracy by specific factions to gain political leverage.
The government has committed to a thorough inquiry, with a presidential commission report now submitted to the central investigative agency for further exploration. Efforts are underway to restore public trust and ensure accountability, reflecting a renewed focus on justice for the victims of this grievous incident.