A Sri Lankan High Court has convicted 15 men over their alleged roles in the devastating 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, bringing a major trial over one of the country’s deadliest attacks to a significant stage.
The three-judge High Court panel delivered its verdict in Colombo on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, following a lengthy trial involving thousands of charges and extensive evidence. Nine other defendants were acquitted, while the court found one of the accused guilty on only some of the charges, according to reports on the verdict.
The Easter Sunday attacks took place on April 21, 2019, when coordinated explosions struck churches and tourist locations across Sri Lanka. More than 260 people were killed and around 500 others were injured, although casualty figures have varied among official and media accounts. The victims included Sri Lankan citizens as well as dozens of foreign nationals.
What Happened During the 2019 Easter Sunday Attacks?
The coordinated bombings targeted three churches and three hotels during Easter services and celebrations.
Explosions were reported at St. Anthony’s Shrine in Colombo, St. Sebastian’s Church in Negombo and Zion Church in Batticaloa. Several luxury hotels in Colombo were also targeted.
The attacks caused widespread destruction and shock throughout Sri Lanka. Many of those killed were worshippers attending Easter services, while tourists and hotel employees were also among the victims.
The attacks were attributed to Sri Lanka-based Islamist militant groups and were described as being inspired by the Islamic State group. The individuals believed to have carried out the suicide bombings died during the attacks.
15 Men Convicted After Lengthy Trial
The High Court case involved 24 defendants who faced thousands of charges relating to the planning and alleged support of the attacks.
Authorities filed 23,270 charges in 2021. These included allegations involving murder, conspiracy to commit terrorism, firearms and explosives offences under Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act.
The trial lasted several years and involved extensive testimony and documentary evidence. More than 2,300 prosecution witnesses gave evidence during the proceedings, while investigators presented thousands of pieces of evidence, including reports and materials connected to explosives and weapons.
Among those convicted was Naufer Moulavi, whom prosecutors identified as a key figure involved in the planning of the attacks. The defendants had denied the allegations during the proceedings.
The court’s decision represents a major development in the legal response to the Easter Sunday attacks, although separate investigations connected to the broader circumstances surrounding the bombings remain ongoing.
Nine Defendants Acquitted
While 15 men were convicted, nine defendants were acquitted in the case.
The distinction is important because the prosecution had brought a very large number of charges against the accused. The court therefore considered individual responsibility and evidence against the defendants rather than treating all accused people as equally responsible.
The verdict follows nearly five years of court proceedings and comes after prosecutors presented extensive evidence about alleged planning, assistance and links to those who carried out the suicide attacks.
Questions About Intelligence Failures
The Easter Sunday bombings have also generated serious questions about whether Sri Lankan authorities could have prevented the attacks.
Before the bombings, foreign intelligence warnings about a possible extremist attack had reportedly been communicated to Sri Lankan authorities. Parliamentary investigations later identified failures within the country’s security and intelligence system to act adequately on warnings.
Those failures became an important part of the wider discussion surrounding accountability for the attacks.
In July 2026, former Police Chief Pujith Jayasundara and former Defence Ministry Secretary Hemasiri Fernando were sentenced to death in a separate case after being found guilty of criminal negligence related to their failure to act on intelligence warnings.
Sri Lanka has not carried out an execution since 1976, meaning death sentences have historically been subject to the country’s long-standing moratorium on executions.
Separate Investigation Into Former Intelligence Chief
The legal developments surrounding the Easter Sunday attacks have not ended with the latest convictions.
A separate investigation is examining allegations involving former intelligence chief Suresh Salley. Sri Lankan authorities arrested Salley earlier in 2026 in connection with the investigation.
Prosecutors have made allegations concerning whether information about extremist networks was properly shared among security agencies before the bombings. These claims remain part of an ongoing investigation and should not be treated as established findings of guilt unless determined by a court.
The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka has also questioned whether the people already identified were the ultimate masterminds behind the attacks and has called for further investigation into the wider circumstances. Those claims remain contested.
A Long Road Toward Accountability
The Easter Sunday bombings had a profound impact on Sri Lanka.
The attacks occurred a decade after the end of the country’s civil war and affected religious communities, families, tourism and the wider economy. Foreign visitors were among those killed, adding an international dimension to the tragedy.
For years, families of victims and survivors have demanded accountability and answers about how the attacks were planned and why warnings were not acted upon.
The latest convictions therefore mark an important legal development, but questions surrounding security failures and the wider circumstances of the attacks continue to be investigated.
What Happens Next?
The convicted men are expected to face sentencing after the court’s verdict. The precise penalties will depend on the charges for which each individual was found guilty.
The September 22 verdict does not close every legal question connected with the Easter Sunday attacks. Separate proceedings and investigations concerning alleged intelligence failures and other individuals remain underway.
For victims’ families, however, the convictions represent another significant step in a case that has remained at the centre of Sri Lanka’s public life for more than seven years.
Conclusion
Sri Lanka’s High Court has convicted 15 men over their alleged involvement in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, while nine others were acquitted. The attacks killed more than 260 people and injured around 500, making them one of the country’s most devastating acts of violence in recent history.
The verdict follows a complex trial involving more than 23,000 charges and extensive evidence. At the same time, separate investigations into intelligence failures and possible wider links to the attacks continue.
The latest court decision is therefore a major development in Sri Lanka’s long-running search for accountability, while the broader investigation into what happened before and during the Easter Sunday attacks remains ongoing.