On the sixth anniversary of the tragic Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka, the Vatican has named 167 victims who lost their lives during the terror attacks as "heroes of faith." The announcement was made by Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith during a solemn event held to remember those who perished when suicide bombers targeted Catholic churches and luxury hotels, resulting in a devastating death toll of 269 individuals. The incident marked a resurgence of violence in a nation still healing from its civil war, which concluded in 2009.
**Vatican Honors Victims of Sri Lanka Easter Bombings as "Heroes of Faith"**
**Vatican Honors Victims of Sri Lanka Easter Bombings as "Heroes of Faith"**
The Vatican commemorates the 167 victims of the devastating 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings, marking the anniversary with significant recognition and ongoing calls for justice.
The bombings, linked to Muslim extremists, not only shocked the predominantly Buddhist nation but also sparked considerable debate and anger among the affected families and the Christian minority community, who accuse the Sri Lankan government of negligence. Many have alleged that crucial intelligence regarding the attacks was ignored by security officials and government leaders at the time. The Supreme Court has even directed former President Maithripala Sirisena to compensate the victims for failing to act on "actionable intelligence."
A trial initiated in 2021 against 25 individuals accused of orchestrating the attacks faces significant delays, exacerbated by an overwhelming number of charges and witnesses involved. Cardinal Ranjith and other community leaders have voiced suspicions that there was a governmental cover-up meant to protect higher powers from accountability. In 2023, a Channel 4 investigation fueled suspicions of complicity between the government and those responsible for the bombings, alleging that political motives may have driven the attacks, used as a means to consolidate power during the subsequent election season.
This discourse has taken on new urgency with the recent elections of 2024, leading the newly-formed government to claim that the tragic events were part of a conspiracy aimed at political gain. Committed to ensuring justice, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya emphasized ongoing investigations, expressing the government's resolve to uncover all truths associated with that fateful day and reaffirm the significance of accountability and transparency as they honor the memory of the departed souls.
A trial initiated in 2021 against 25 individuals accused of orchestrating the attacks faces significant delays, exacerbated by an overwhelming number of charges and witnesses involved. Cardinal Ranjith and other community leaders have voiced suspicions that there was a governmental cover-up meant to protect higher powers from accountability. In 2023, a Channel 4 investigation fueled suspicions of complicity between the government and those responsible for the bombings, alleging that political motives may have driven the attacks, used as a means to consolidate power during the subsequent election season.
This discourse has taken on new urgency with the recent elections of 2024, leading the newly-formed government to claim that the tragic events were part of a conspiracy aimed at political gain. Committed to ensuring justice, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya emphasized ongoing investigations, expressing the government's resolve to uncover all truths associated with that fateful day and reaffirm the significance of accountability and transparency as they honor the memory of the departed souls.
