Sri Lanka: 81 Months On, Calls for Justice in Easter Sunday Attacks Continue

As of January 21, 81 months have passed since the Easter Sunday terror attacks that targeted three places of worship—including two Catholic churches—as well as several tourist hotels in Sri Lanka. During this period, two Presidents have come to power, each pledging to ensure justice for the victims. However, justice has yet to be delivered, leading to growing concern and frustration among Christian laypeople, religious, clergy, and social activists.

On January 21, a peaceful protest was once again held at the junction leading to St. Sebastian’s Church, Katuwapitiya, Negombo, one of the churches attacked in 2019.

The protest was part of the uninterrupted monthly demonstration held on the 21st of every month, demanding truth and justice for the victims. Protesters also voiced opposition to the government’s reported preparations to introduce more stringent repressive laws, despite earlier commitments to uphold justice and accountability.

This protest movement, now spanning 80 consecutive months, has been led primarily by laypeople, with the support of civil society organisations, and remains a prominent symbol of perseverance in the quest for justice.

Meanwhile, four years have passed since an attempted bombing at All Saints’ Church, Borella, located near the Archbishop’s House in Colombo. The incident is widely viewed by Church groups as an attempt to intimidate those seeking justice for the Easter Sunday attacks. To date, no satisfactory investigation into the Borella incident has been completed.

In response, a peaceful demonstration was held this January 4 in front of All Saints’ Church by laypeople, religious, and priests.

Speaking at the protest, Fr. Jude Krishantha, Director of the Archdiocese of Colombo and National Director of Social Communications, said that identifying those responsible for the attempted bombing at Borella would make it easier to uncover those behind the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.

At the same protest, Fr. Rohan Silva, Director of the Colombo Maradana Centre for Social and Religion, said the demonstration was an appeal to the new government to conduct a credible investigation into the Borella bombing attempt and to bring those responsible to justice. Priests of All Saints’ Church, including Parish Priest Fr. Claude Nonis and assistant priests, joined lay faithful in the peaceful protest.

In another development, activists seeking justice for the Easter Sunday attacks continue to face legal challenges. Among them is Christian social activist Shehan Malaka Gamage, against whom the Attorney General’s Department filed a case under the previous government. He was accused of defaming the state after stating at a media briefing that the Easter Sunday attacks were part of a planned operation that contributed to the rise to power of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The case was taken up for hearing on January 19, with proceedings postponed to April 27.

In three months, Sri Lanka will mark seven years since the Easter Sunday attacks. Despite prolonged delays, legal hurdles, and alleged intimidation, the struggle for truth and justice continues, sustained by the determination of victims’ families, Church groups, and civil society.