Today marks the 3rd anniversary of the series of bombings at eight locations, including Catholic churches and tourist hotels, on Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019.
Suicide bombings were carried out at various places including St. Sebastian’s Church – Katuwapitiya, St. Anthony’s Church – Kochchikade Kotahena, Zion’s Church – Batticaloa, Kingsbury Hotel, Shangri-La, Cinnamon Ground Hotel, Dehiwala Tropical Inn Lodge and the house of one of the bombers in Dematagoda.
The attack was carried out by the Islamic extremist group Tawheed Jamaat, which killed more than 250 people and wounded more than 500. It also had a severe impact on the country’s economy due to the impact it had on the tourism industry.
The attack raised suspicions of a conspiracy behind it and was investigated by a parliamentary committee, two special presidential commissions of inquiry, and the CID. Defendants have already filed a number of charges in court, but no speedy justice is yet to be seen.
We extend our condolences and brotherhood to the families of the victims of the attack and to all the traumatized Sri Lankans.
