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Hundreds of believers were killed during a devastating series of bombings that took place in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday of 2019. More than 260 people were killed and nearly 600 others injured when suicide bombers targeted three churches, along with three hotels that hosted Easter breakfast gatherings. More details about the bombing incidents are available in our initial report.
The horrific attacks drew international attention and prompted investigations at multiple levels of Sri Lanka's government and law enforcement personnel. In 2023, a parliamentary committee was appointed to examine the events leading up to the bombings. The committee concluded that police and intelligence officials failed to act on repeated warnings that could have prevented the tragedies from taking place. As a result, on July 31st of this year, a former police chief and a former senior defence official were both convicted of criminal negligence and consequently sentenced to life imprisonment.
More recently, on September 22nd, Sri Lanka's High Court convicted 15 male perpetrators of the attacks on charges relating to murder and terrorism. The men were given prison sentences ranging from 200 to 260 years. Nine other suspects were acquitted of all charges. Not only have militant Islamic groups been linked to the attacks, a former intelligence chief is currently facing trial due to claims that he had collaborated with the instigating Muslim terrorists. Additional allegations have also connected the incidents to former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa and members of his family, even though both the government and the Rajapaksa family deny any involvement.
When asked to comment on the court's decision, Godfrey Yogarajah, who serves as CEO for the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka and chairman for the World Evangelical Alliance, stated: "The verdict is an important step toward justice for the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks and their families. But a conviction cannot, by itself, close the questions that remain. The investigation must continue until the full truth is established – including whether anyone directed, handled, facilitated or enabled the bombers. Only when those responsible are identified, and the mastermind held accountable, can we say that justice has been fully served."
- Pray that the committee's efforts to uncover the full truth behind the attacks will continue, leading to the accountability of all the terrorists responsible for committing these crimes.
- Ask God to transform the assailants' hearts so they would acknowledge the guilt of their wrongdoings, come to a point of sincere repentance, and experience the forgiveness and new life that's been made available through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- In the aftermath of the atrocities, please also pray for God's ongoing ministry of comfort and healing in the lives of the surviving victims and their families, helping them to fully recover from the grief of loss, physical injury, and/or the residual effects of emotional/mental trauma.
- Overall, may the Holy Spirit move powerfully throughout Sri Lanka, providing greatly needed strength and encouragement to our Christian brothers and sisters, while also drawing many others in need of eternal salvation to faith in Christ – the "Light of the world" (John 8:12).
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