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Vatican Honors Victims of Sri Lanka Easter Bombings as “Heroes of Faith”
The Vatican has officially recognized 167 individuals who lost their lives during the Easter bombings in Sri Lanka in 2019 as “heroes of faith.” This significant acknowledgment was made by Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith during a solemn event commemorating the sixth anniversary of the tragic suicide attacks, which primarily targeted Catholic churches and high-end hotels on Easter Sunday, resulting in 269 fatalities.
The victims memorialized by the Vatican were attendees of the mass at the attacked churches, highlighting their commitment to faith in the face of violence. The bombings represented a shocking resurgence of violence in a country that had not experienced such turmoil since the conclusion of its civil war in 2009.
Following the attacks, widespread controversy has surrounded the ensuing investigations. Although Islamic extremist groups claimed responsibility for the bombings, families of the victims and members of the Christian minority in Sri Lanka have expressed frustration over the government’s sluggish response to holding accountable those believed to be involved.
Public discontent intensified after revelations indicated that intelligence agencies had prior knowledge of potential threats but failed to act on the warnings issued. In a landmark decision, Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court ordered former President Maithripala Sirisena to provide compensation for neglecting actionable intelligence that could have prevented the bombings.
In 2021, legal proceedings commenced against 25 individuals accused of orchestrating the attacks. However, lawyers have cautioned that the immense volume of 23,000 charges and an extensive witness list could result in a protracted trial process.
Cardinal Ranjith and the local Catholic community have persistently accused the previous government of intentionally obscuring the investigations to shield those responsible for the attacks. A 2023 Channel 4 documentary, which alleged possible connections between government officials, military personnel, and the group blamed for the attacks, further fueled public outrage by suggesting that the attacks were permitted to occur for political gain.
In the wake of the bombings, Gotabaya Rajapaksa garnered significant support in the presidential elections, running on a platform emphasizing national security. He has publicly dismissed allegations related to the documentary findings during a parliamentary session.
As the nation moved into a new political era with the election of a new president and parliament in 2024, the topic gained renewed attention. The current government has posited that the attacks were part of a conspiracy by certain factions to usurp political power at that time.
In a proactive step, investigations into the Easter bombings have been reopened, with a report from a presidential inquiry commission being officially submitted to the country’s central investigative agency for further examination.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya emphasized the government’s dedication to achieving justice in a statement marking the anniversary. “We reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that justice is served. Ongoing efforts to investigate the attacks and uncover all truths without obstruction or delay remain a top priority. Accountability, transparency, and genuine justice are essential to honoring the memory of the victims and restoring public trust,” she said.
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