Sri Lanka Convicts 15 Men in Verdict on Deadly Easter Sunday Bombings

Wed Sep 23 2026 22:19:07 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

High court sentences 15 men, including mastermind, to 200‑260 years in prison over 2019 attacks that killed 270.

In a landmark ruling, Sri Lanka’s High Court convicted fifteen men, including the suspected mastermind Naufer Moulavi, for the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings that claimed 270 lives. Each defendant received sentences ranging from 200 to 260 years, with the court ordering the confiscation of all movable and immovable assets. The attacks, targeting three churches and three luxury hotels, were the country’s worst since the end of its civil war. The verdict follows claims of a major intelligence lapse and a broader investigation into senior officials and intelligence chiefs who may have colluded with extremist groups.

In a startling verdict, Sri Lanka’s High Court handed long jail sentences to fifteen men in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday bomb attacks that killed 270 people and injured more than 500. Each defendant received a sentence between 200 and 260 years. The court also decreed that all of their movable and immovable assets be confiscated.

Chief among the convicted was Naufer Moulavi, whom prosecutors identified as the mastermind behind the coordinated blasts at three churches and three luxury hotels. Nine other men were acquitted for lack of evidence.

The attacks, which cost the lives of the bombers themselves, were the deadliest in Sri Lanka since its civil war ended in 2009. Forty‑five foreigners were among the victims, including Indians, Britons, Americans and soldiers from several countries. Sri Lankan citizens, many children, also lost their lives in the attacks.

Officials said the incident was the result of a “major intelligence lapse.” Parliament was informed that a tip from India about the attacks was not properly shared with local authorities. In 2023, the Supreme Court ordered former President Maithripala Sirisena to pay millions in compensation to victims, citing national security failures. That same year, two former senior officials received death sentences for criminal negligence related to the bombings.

Investigations continue into former intelligence chief Suresh Sallay, who is accused of orchestrating the attacks with Islamist extremists. A 2023 Channel 4 documentary raised similar allegations, suggesting the bombings were allowed to occur to bolster the popularity of the Rajapaksa family. The former president was denied a passport for leaving the country and has intervened to court‑prevent any potential arrest.