Easter Sunday attacks, 21 April 2019

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Details

What: Six suicide bombings at three churches and three hotels
Toll: More than 250 killed; reports range up to 279
Appears on: Easter attacks
Communal violence and state force, 2013 to 2019

Connections (19)

National Thowheed Jamaath / Members accused of carrying out / Easter Sunday attacks, 21 April 2019
- AP: two local Muslim groups that had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group were accused of carrying out the six near-simultaneous suicide bombings.12 Jan 2023 · Associated Press · Sri Lankan court orders ex-leader to pay victims of bombings
- The Defence Ministry said local and international investigations pointed to members of an ISIS-affiliated group.9 Sep 2023 · Ada Derana · Defense Ministry categorically denies Channel 4's "outrageous" claims on Easter attacks
Gotabaya Rajapaksa / Announced presidential run days after / Easter Sunday attacks, 21 April 2019
- Reuters interview: he said he would run for president and that the attacks could have been prevented had the government not dismantled the intelligence network he built.27 Apr 2019 · Daily FT · Gotabaya says he will run for president, tackle radical Islam
- Reports that he declared his candidacy two days after the bombings and won the November 2019 election in a landslide.25 Feb 2026 · Al Jazeera · Sri Lanka's former intelligence chief arrested over 2019 Easter attacks
Channel 4 Dispatches: Sri Lanka's Easter Bombings / Alleged official complicity in / Easter Sunday attacks, 21 April 2019Allegation
- The programme alleged that officials were complicit in the attacks, as part of a plot to create insecurity before the 2019 presidential election.6 Sep 2023 · Ada Derana · Channel 4 broadcasts controversial exposé on 2019 Easter bombings in Sri Lanka
- The Defence Ministry called the claims “outrageous” and “a malicious and unsubstantiated narrative”.9 Sep 2023 · Ada Derana · Defense Ministry categorically denies Channel 4's "outrageous" claims on Easter attacks
Presidential Commission of Inquiry on the Easter attacks / Investigated / Easter Sunday attacks, 21 April 2019
- The commission, chaired by Court of Appeal Judge Janak de Silva, recorded evidence from 440 people.1 Feb 2021 · Ada Derana · Presidential commission on Easter attacks hands over final report to President
Supreme Court judgment, 12 January 2023 / Ruled on failure to prevent / Easter Sunday attacks, 21 April 2019
- The Supreme Court found five officials violated petitioners’ fundamental rights by failing to act on intelligence to prevent the attacks.12 Jan 2023 · Ada Derana · Five including ex-President Maithirpala ordered to pay compensation to Easter attack victims
Criminal Investigation Department / Investigating / Easter Sunday attacks, 21 April 2019
- Describes the arrest as part of the ongoing investigation into the bombings; a trial of 25 accused is under way at the Colombo High Court.25 Feb 2026 · Ada Derana · Former Head of State Intelligence Suresh Sallay arrested by CID
Zahran Hashim / Ringleader and suicide bomber in / Easter Sunday attacks, 21 April 2019
- AFP: he led the attacks and was one of two suicide bombers at Colombo’s Shangri-La hotel.29 Apr 2019 · AFP (via The Korea Times) · What we know about the Sri Lanka bombers
Easter attacks trial verdict, 22 September 2026 / Convicted 15 men over / Easter Sunday attacks, 21 April 2019
- After a five-year trial, 14 men were found guilty on all charges, including murder and conspiracy to commit terrorism, and a fifteenth on some. Nine were acquitted.22 Sep 2026 · Al Jazeera · Sri Lanka court convicts 15 over deadly Easter Sunday bombings
- AFP: the 15 convicted received 220-year sentences. The men were accused of aiding the suicide bombers.22 Sep 2026 · AFP (via France 24) · Sri Lanka hands 220-year jail terms to 15 convicted of Easter bombings
- Newswire, in a later report: five of the convicts received 200 years of rigorous imprisonment each, five 220 years, four 240 years and one 260 years, and the court ordered their property confiscated.22 Sep 2026 · Newswire · 15 Easter Sunday attacks convicts sentenced to over 200 years rigorous imprisonment each
Trial of security chiefs, verdict 31 July 2026 / Ruled on failure to prevent / Easter Sunday attacks, 21 April 2019
- The retrial followed a Supreme Court decision overturning a February 2022 acquittal.31 Jul 2026 · Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka) · Former IGP Pujith Jayasundara sentenced to death over Easter Sunday attacks
Ilham Ibrahim / Named as suicide bomber in / Easter Sunday attacks, 21 April 2019
- AFP: he carried out a simultaneous blast at the Shangri-La hotel, according to a military analysis of CCTV footage.29 Apr 2019 · AFP (via The Korea Times) · What we know about the Sri Lanka bombers
Inshaf Ahmed / Named as suicide bomber in / Easter Sunday attacks, 21 April 2019
- AFP: he attacked a restaurant inside the Cinnamon Grand hotel.29 Apr 2019 · AFP (via The Korea Times) · What we know about the Sri Lanka bombers
Abdul Latheef / Named as suicide bomber in / Easter Sunday attacks, 21 April 2019
- AFP: a fifth bomber, who failed in an attack on another Colombo hotel and detonated his device hours later, was identified by local community leaders as Abdul Latheef.29 Apr 2019 · AFP (via The Korea Times) · What we know about the Sri Lanka bombers
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith / Leads Catholic calls to identify the masterminds of / Easter Sunday attacks, 21 April 2019
- Reports that under the cardinal, Catholics have consistently called for truth and justice: for the masterminds, any political or intelligence complicity and the sources of funding to be identified, and for an independent prosecutor.22 Sep 2026 · Agenzia Fides · ASIA/SRI LANKA - Easter attacks verdict: 15 of 24 defendants convicted
Parliamentary Select Committee on the Easter attacks / Appointed to look into / Easter Sunday attacks, 21 April 2019
- The Speaker announced an eight-member committee, headed by Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri, to examine whether the authorities received intelligence, took adequate steps and whether other factors contributed to the attacks. It could summon any minister or MP.23 May 2019 · Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka) · Eight member PSC headed by Deputy Speaker appointed
Alahudeen Ahamed Muaad / Named by police as the St. Anthony’s Shrine bomber in / Easter Sunday attacks, 21 April 2019
- Police released the identities of nine suicide bombers on 1 May 2019. The attack on St. Anthony’s Shrine, Kochchikade was carried out by Alahudeen Ahamed Muaad of Mattakkuliya, the release said. DNA tests were being carried out to ascertain the identities further.1 May 2019 · News 1st · Identities of Easter Sunday Suicide bombers revealed for the first time
Atchchi Muhammadu Muhammadu Hasthun / Named by police as the St. Sebastian’s Church bomber in / Easter Sunday attacks, 21 April 2019
- The police release said the attack on St. Sebastian’s Church, Katuwapitiya was carried out by Atchchi Muhammadu Muhammadu Hasthun of Valachchenai. DNA tests were being carried out to ascertain the identities further.1 May 2019 · News 1st · Identities of Easter Sunday Suicide bombers revealed for the first time
Mohamed Azam Mohamed Mubarak / Named by police as the Kingsbury Hotel bomber in / Easter Sunday attacks, 21 April 2019
- The police release said the attack on the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo was carried out by Mohamed Azam Mohamed Mubarak of Colombo 12. DNA tests were being carried out to ascertain the identities further.1 May 2019 · News 1st · Identities of Easter Sunday Suicide bombers revealed for the first time
Mohamed Nassar Mohamed Asad / Named by police as the Zion Church bomber in / Easter Sunday attacks, 21 April 2019
- The police release said the attack on the Zion Church in Batticaloa was carried out by Mohamed Nassar Mohamed Asad of New Kattankudy. DNA tests were being carried out to ascertain the identities further.1 May 2019 · News 1st · Identities of Easter Sunday Suicide bombers revealed for the first time
Anti-Muslim attacks after the Easter bombings, May 2019 / Followed, as the worst unrest since / Easter Sunday attacks, 21 April 2019
- Reuters reports that the attacks on mosques and Muslim-owned businesses were the worst anti-Muslim unrest since the Easter bombings, which killed more than 250 people.13 May 2019 · Reuters (via TimesLIVE) · Sri Lanka blocks social media after worst anti-Muslim unrest since Easter bombings