SIX YEARS AFTER EASTER ATTACKS, SRI LANKA STILL AWAITS JUSTICE; COMMEMORATIONS UNDERWAY

Today marks the solemn sixth anniversary of the horrific Easter Sunday attacks that struck Sri Lanka on April 21, 2019. 

On that tragic day, suicide bombers targeted three Catholic and Christian churches – St. Anthony’s Shrine in Kochchikade, St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya, and Zion Church in Batticaloa – as well as three luxury hotels in Colombo, claiming the lives of 269 individuals.

Subsequent investigations confirmed that an Islamic extremist group was responsible for the bombings. Further explosions also occurred at a housing complex in Dematagoda and a lodging in Dehiwala.

A significant finding from later inquiries highlighted a grave failure: despite advance intelligence warnings, effective preventative action was not taken.

 In the six years that have passed since this devastating event, Sri Lanka has witnessed four different Prime Ministers, four Presidents, and four changes in government.

Yet, the pursuit of justice for the victims and their families continues to be a pressing concern.  

Commemorative events are being held today to honour the memory of those who perished. A key ceremony will take place at St. Anthony’s Shrine in Kochchikade at 8:30 am, led by the Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith. This gathering will be attended by religious leaders, diplomats, and the bereaved families.

At 8:45 am, religious institutions across the nation will ring their bells and observe a two-minute silence as a mark of respect for the victims. A special service is also scheduled for 8:15 am at St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya, Negombo.

In the afternoon, the Cardinal and the Minister of Urban Development will jointly provide housing for ten families who were affected by the attacks. Later in the day, at 5:30 pm, the Vatican is expected to officially recognize the victims as “witnesses of faith.”