Verdict Reached in Sri Lanka's 2019 Easter Attacks Trial

A verdict has been delivered in the trial regarding the coordinated Easter Sunday bomb attacks in Sri Lanka in 2019, which resulted in the deaths of 270 people and left over 500 injured. The Supreme Court sentenced 15 defendants, including Naufer Moulavi, who was identified as the mastermind, to prison terms ranging from 200 to 260 years.

Court Ruling and Sentences

During the hearing held on Tuesday at a court in Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, 15 defendants facing more than 23,000 charges were handed prison sentences varying between 200 and 260 years.

The court also ordered the confiscation of all movable and immovable assets belonging to the convicted defendants.

Toll of the Attacks

The simultaneous explosions carried out at three churches and three luxury hotels marked the deadliest attack in Sri Lanka since the end of the civil war in 2009.

Among the 270 people who lost their lives in the attacks were numerous children, foreign nationals, and local figures.

Trial Process

The prosecution stated that Naufer Moulavi was the mastermind behind the suicide attacks. Out of 25 defendants tried in the case, nine were acquitted.

It was noted that all suicide bombers who carried out the attacks died in the blasts at the time, and the defendants standing trial were members of the Muslim minority.

Investigations and Security Lapses

Following the attacks, Sri Lankan authorities had pointed to a major intelligence failure. Last year, the Supreme Court held former President Maithripala Sirisena responsible for the security lapses.

Additionally, while a separate investigation is ongoing regarding former intelligence chief Suresh Sallay, both Sallay and former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa deny the allegations.