On Tuesday, a Sri Lankan court will hand down its decision in a high‑profile trial concerning the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. The attacks, which claimed 270 lives and injured more than 500, have haunted the nation for seven years, prompting repeated public demonstrations demanding accountability.

Background of the attacks

The coordinated suicide bombings struck multiple churches during Easter mass and three luxury hotels, marking the deadliest violence in Sri Lanka since the end of its civil war in 2009. Families of the victims have kept the memory alive through regular protests, urging the state to pursue those responsible.

Legal proceedings and the current trial

The upcoming verdict concerns 24 individuals accused of planning the attacks. Among them is Naufer Moulavi, identified by the prosecution as the principal organiser. The case has been protracted, with the court previously accepting a voluntary confession from Moulavi that he later contested, claiming he was not shown what he signed.

Defendants face a staggering array of charges, including:

The prosecution has presented 2,076 pieces of evidence, ranging from explosives to swords and firearms. In total, the accused are charged with more than 23,000 offences. All defendants have denied involvement.

Political and institutional context

In the aftermath of the bombings, Sri Lankan authorities acknowledged a "major intelligence lapse," noting that a tip‑off from India was not adequately shared. The Supreme Court, in 2023, ordered former President Maithripala Sirisena to pay compensation to victims, finding him responsible for national‑security failures that facilitated the attacks.

Last month, two former senior officials received death sentences for criminal negligence linked to the bombings, though such sentences are typically commuted to life imprisonment due to a longstanding moratorium on executions.

Separately, an investigation into former intelligence chief Suresh Sallay is ongoing. Sallay is accused of colluding with Islamist extremists to enable the attacks, allegations echoed in a 2023 Channel 4 documentary that suggested the bombings were allowed to occur to bolster the Rajapaksa family’s political standing. Both Sallay and former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who denied any involvement, have faced legal scrutiny, with Rajapaksa currently barred from leaving the country.

Uncertainty and next steps

While the court’s decision will close a chapter on the specific trial of the 24 accused, several uncertainties remain. The outcome for Moulavi, who has contested the validity of his confession, could set a precedent for how coerced statements are treated in Sri Lankan jurisprudence. Additionally, the broader investigations into intelligence failures and alleged political manipulation may lead to further legal actions, but the timeline and scope of those proceedings are not yet clear.

Observers note that the verdict will be closely watched both domestically and internationally, as it may signal Sri Lanka’s commitment to addressing past security lapses and delivering justice to the families of the Easter Sunday victims.