Sri Lanka Convicts 15 Over Easter Bombings

A Sri Lankan High Court convicted 15 men over their roles in the April 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which targeted three churches and three hotels, killed about 279 people and injured hundreds. Fourteen defendants were convicted on all charges, including murder and terrorism-related offenses, while a 15th was convicted on some charges; nine others were acquitted and one accused died before trial. The convicted men received sentences ranging from 200 to 260 years, had their property confiscated and are expected to spend the rest of their lives in prison. The nearly five-year trial involved 23,270 charges, and the suicide bombers were killed in the attacks. Defense lawyers said all 15 convicts will appeal, while the Catholic Church welcomed the verdict but said questions remain about who masterminded the bombings. Separate proceedings resulted in death sentences for a former police chief and a senior defense official accused of failing to act on intelligence warnings.