Easter bombing verdict comes amid scrutiny of alleged state links

The Colombo High Court convicted 15 of 24 defendants on Tuesday in the trial concerning the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks that killed 279 people. The coordinated suicide bombings on April 21, 2019, targeted three churches and three luxury hotels in Sri Lanka, resulting in the deaths of 45 foreigners.

Among those found guilty is Mohamed Naufer Moulavi, whom prosecutors identified as a key figure who led the group providing support to the eight-member suicide squad that carried out the attacks. The court acquitted the remaining nine defendants and ordered their release. This verdict concludes a trial lasting nearly five years involving more than 23,270 charges, including murder, conspiracy to commit terrorism, and the possession of firearms and explosives.

The legal proceedings occurred alongside a separate investigation into allegations that certain elements within the Sri Lankan state may have had links to those responsible for the bombings. Investigators alleged that a network was created to generate a security threat to strengthen political support. All defendants had previously denied involvement in the attacks.