Sri Lanka Sentences 15 to 220 Years for Easter Bombings

Sep 22, 2026

76 min

Sep 22, 2026 20:31

Sri Lanka hands 220-year jail terms to 15 convicted of Easter bombings

## Historic Sentencing for Easter Bombings

Sri Lanka's High Court has sentenced 15 men to 220 years in prison each for their roles in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. These attacks, which targeted three luxury hotels and three churches, resulted in the deaths of 279 people, marking the deadliest terror incident in the country's history.

## Court's Verdict and Reactions

The court found 14 of the accused guilty on all charges, including murder and conspiracy to commit terrorism, under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. A 15th defendant was convicted on some charges. Additionally, the court ordered the confiscation of all assets belonging to the convicts. The Roman Catholic Church in Sri Lanka expressed relief at the verdict, with survivors and church officials acknowledging the long-awaited justice.

## Background and Legal Proceedings

The trial, which lasted five years, was unprecedented in Sri Lanka's legal history, with prosecutors filing over 23,000 charges. The convicted individuals were accused of aiding the suicide bombers, who were part of a homegrown Islamist extremist group. The trial also highlighted ongoing investigations into potential state involvement in the attacks, with allegations against former intelligence officials.

## Broader Implications

The bombings had significant international repercussions, with victims from multiple countries, including the United States, Australia, and several European nations. The case has also been linked to broader political dynamics in Sri Lanka, with accusations that the attacks were used to manipulate public sentiment and bolster political support for the Rajapaksa family, who returned to power shortly after the bombings.

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