'Partial satisfaction': Sri Lankans hail 2019 bombings ruling with a caveat

Justice for the Fallen

In the wake of the April 21, 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, Sri Lanka's capital Colombo was left in shock and mourning. The coordinated attacks—carried out by suicide bombers inspired by ISIS—claimed the lives of 279 people, including 45 foreign nationals, and injured over 500 more. The assault targeted churches and luxury hotels across the island nation, leaving a trail of devastation that would define a generation's collective memory.

Among those affected was Indika Rohan, a tuk-tuk driver who had taken his wife and daughter to St Sebastian's Church in Negombo for Easter mass. As he waited outside, a suicide bomber detonated himself inside the church. His 13-year-old daughter Kanishka Hirushi died in the blast, along with more than 100 others. Rohan's wife, Nilanthi Pushpakumari, survived but spent weeks in intensive care.

After years of waiting for justice, a recent ruling from Sri Lanka's High Court brought some relief. A three-judge bench convicted 15 men of over 23,000 charges, including murder, conspiracy to commit terrorism, and possession of explosives and firearms. Sentences ranged from 200 to 260 years in prison.

Rohan described the ruling as providing him with only 'partial satisfaction.' He told Al Jazeera, 'My daughter went to the church by tuk-tuk, but returned home by hearse.' The conviction of these men marked a significant milestone—but it did not address the broader questions about who orchestrated the attacks or whether political motivations were at play.

The Case of Suresh Salley

While the 15 men convicted are those directly involved in carrying out the bombings, many remain haunted by the larger conspiracy theories surrounding the events. Among them is former intelligence chief Suresh Salley, who was arrested in February and is currently hospitalized under police custody.

In 2023, a British broadcaster's whistleblower claimed that Salley had met with some of the bombers and maintained connections with them. The allegations suggest that the attacks were not only planned but possibly enabled or even allowed to occur for political reasons—particularly to benefit then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa ahead of his 2019 election campaign.

'We will be fully satisfied when the verdict for this [Salley] case is announced,' said Rohan, who continues to follow the proceedings with deep concern.

Salley's trial has been under scrutiny, especially after former officials like Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara and Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando were sentenced to death for negligence related to the bombings. However, Sri Lanka has not executed anyone since 1976.

Political Backing or Intelligence Failure?

The Easter attacks sparked investigations into whether failures within intelligence services enabled the violence. A parliamentary committee later found that police and intelligence officials had been given warnings but failed to act decisively.

In 2023, Sri Lanka's Supreme Court ordered former President Maithripala Sirisena and several senior officials—including the State Intelligence Service Director and National Intelligence Director—to pay compensation to victims for their role in failing to prevent the attacks. The ruling underscored the gravity of systemic failures in national security protocols.

These findings, combined with the allegations about Salley, have fueled speculation that the 2019 bombings were not only an act of terror but also a calculated political maneuver. Critics argue that the state's inability to stop the attacks may have served a strategic purpose, especially given Rajapaksa's subsequent election victory.

Hope for Closure in a New Government

In the aftermath of the 2019 attacks, Sri Lanka saw a wave of protests and growing public discontent. This culminated in the ousting of the Rajapaksa family, who had ruled the country since 2005.

The emergence of Marxist-leaning Anura Kumara Dissanayake as president in 2024 marked a new chapter for the nation. Dissanayake visited St Sebastian's Church shortly after taking office to meet families of victims and pledged a thorough investigation into the bombings, promising transparency regarding any political ties or involvement.

Ruki Fernando, a rights activist, emphasized that the case against Salley holds promise in exposing deeper layers of the conspiracy. 'It has the potential to hold those who may be the masterminds accountable,' he stated.

Legacy and Reflection

The Easter Sunday bombings left an indelible mark on Sri Lankan society. Beyond the tragic loss of life, the attacks revealed internal weaknesses in governance and intelligence coordination that continue to resonate today.

For families like Rohan's, justice remains incomplete without answers about the full scope of planning and execution behind the attacks. The recent convictions are a step forward—but many questions still linger. As Sri Lanka continues its journey toward healing and accountability, the case of Suresh Salley may ultimately become the defining moment that determines whether those truly responsible will be brought to justice.

Until then, the memory of Kanishka Hirushi and countless others who lost their lives endures—a reminder of both human fragility and the enduring need for truth and justice.