On the sixth anniversary of the tragic attacks, the Vatican has officially named 167 individuals who lost their lives as "heroes of faith," with the acknowledgment made by Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith at a memorial event.
Vatican Honors Sri Lanka Easter Bombing Victims as 'Heroes of Faith'
Vatican Honors Sri Lanka Easter Bombing Victims as 'Heroes of Faith'
The Vatican recognizes 167 victims of the 2019 Easter bombings in Sri Lanka, amplifying calls for justice and accountability.
Amid ongoing investigations and public outcry over the handling of the attacks, these victims were attending mass when the bombings targeted Catholic churches and luxury hotels, resulting in a death toll of 269. The bombings marked a significant escalation in violence for Sri Lanka, a country that had only recently emerged from a long civil war.
The tragedy has raised serious concerns among families of the deceased and members of the Christian minority community regarding the government's response. Many allege that the government failed to act on critical intelligence warnings prior to the attacks, leading to calls for accountability. A Supreme Court ruling has mandated former president Maithripala Sirisena to compensate victims for negligence regarding actionable intelligence.
In 2021, a trial began for 25 suspects accused of orchestrating the attacks, but the overwhelming number of charges and witnesses raises concerns about the timeline for justice. Allegations of government cover-ups intended to protect those behind the attacks have ignited public anger, particularly following a 2023 Channel 4 investigation that suggested political motivations for allowing the bombings to occur.
The newly elected government in 2024 has expressed a commitment to revisit these investigations, signifying a potential shift in the handling of this harrowing chapter in Sri Lankan history. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya reassured the public, stating that "justice will be served" and emphasized the significance of transparency and accountability in honoring the victims’ memories.
The tragedy has raised serious concerns among families of the deceased and members of the Christian minority community regarding the government's response. Many allege that the government failed to act on critical intelligence warnings prior to the attacks, leading to calls for accountability. A Supreme Court ruling has mandated former president Maithripala Sirisena to compensate victims for negligence regarding actionable intelligence.
In 2021, a trial began for 25 suspects accused of orchestrating the attacks, but the overwhelming number of charges and witnesses raises concerns about the timeline for justice. Allegations of government cover-ups intended to protect those behind the attacks have ignited public anger, particularly following a 2023 Channel 4 investigation that suggested political motivations for allowing the bombings to occur.
The newly elected government in 2024 has expressed a commitment to revisit these investigations, signifying a potential shift in the handling of this harrowing chapter in Sri Lankan history. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya reassured the public, stating that "justice will be served" and emphasized the significance of transparency and accountability in honoring the victims’ memories.
