Easter Sunday Attacks Justice & Documentation Hub
The Centre for Society & Religion (CSR) stands resolutely with victims' families and survivors of the 21 April 2019 attacks, conducting independent court monitoring, facilitating landmark Fundamental Rights litigation, and advocating for full state and international accountability.
The Sites of the 21 April 2019 Massacre
On Easter Sunday, 21 April 2019, eight coordinated suicide bombings struck three churches and four luxury hotels across Sri Lanka, leaving 269 dead and more than 500 injured.
St. Anthony's Shrine
Targeted during Easter Sunday Mass. One of Sri Lanka's oldest national Catholic shrines, frequented by devotees of all faiths.
St. Sebastian's Church
The single deadliest attack of the morning. Entire families were wiped out during the crowded Easter prayer service.
Zion Church
Targeted by suicide bomber Mohamed Nasar Mohamed Asad. A large number of innocent Sunday School children were killed.
The Shangri-La Hotel
Detonated at Table One restaurant by ringleader Zahran Hashim and Ilham Ibrahim during morning breakfast hours.
The Kingsbury Hotel
Detonated by suicide bomber Mohamed Azzam Mohamed Mubarak at the Harbour Court restaurant.
Cinnamon Grand Hotel
Bomber Inshaf Ahmed Ibrahim detonated his device in the Taprobane restaurant queue.
Tropical Inn
Bomber Abdul Latheef Jameel Mohamed, whose device failed to detonate earlier at the Taj Samudra, detonated here.
Mahawila Gardens
During a police search raid, the pregnant wife of one of the bombers detonated explosives, killing three police officers.
Pursuing Justice: Key Legal Actions & Inquiries
CSR actively tracks, observes, and participates in legal actions across domestic courts and international jurisdictions to ensure all responsible parties are held accountable.
Landmark Supreme Court Verdict (SC FR 163/2019 – 173/2019)
7-Judge Bench of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka
Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar: Case Against 24 Accused
262+ Days of Daily Court Observation Documented by CSR
Civil Actions for Victims' Damages & Compensation
Colombo District Court Civil Lawsuits
US Department of Justice Federal Indictment (Los Angeles)
US District Court for the Central District of California
Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) & Parliamentary Reports
Official Investigative Findings & Declassified Volumes
Milestone Timeline: 2018 to 2026
A detailed chronological record tracking early warnings, the blast events, the cover-ups, and the relentless fight for legal accountability.
Early Warnings & Radicalization Incidents
Mawanella Buddhist statue vandalism, discovery of detonators and explosives at Vanathavilluwa, and multiple intelligence alerts concerning Zahran Hashim's radical network.
Specific Foreign Intelligence Memos
Foreign intelligence agencies shared precise warnings detailing imminent church attacks, naming suicide bombers. Top defense and intelligence heads failed to issue warnings to churches or the public.
Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks
Eight coordinated suicide blasts devastate St. Anthony's Shrine, St. Sebastian's, Zion Church, and premier Colombo hotels, killing 269 innocent citizens and foreign tourists.
Parliament Select Committee & Investigations
Parliament Select Committee establishes severe administrative failure, political rivalry between the President and Prime Minister, and deliberate intelligence lapses.
Presidential Commission (PCoI) Report Submitted
Justice Janak De Silva Commission recommends criminal prosecution against state intelligence chiefs and key politicians. Portions of reports remain sealed.
Historic Supreme Court Verdict
Supreme Court finds former President Maithripala Sirisena and four top defense/police chiefs guilty of violating Fundamental Rights, ordering Rs. 310 Million to the victims' fund.
High Court Trial-at-Bar & Mastermind Inquiries
Trial reaches over 262 trial days against 24 accused. Ongoing inquiries and international petitions regarding Suresh Sallay and masterminds behind the tragedy.
Official Inquiries, Bulletins & Reports
Access transparent, verified records, commission summaries, and trial observation briefs published and cataloged by the CSR research team.
Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) Summary
Parliament Select Committee (PSC) Final Report
CSR Trial Monitoring Bulletins (2024 - 2026)
Justice Nimal Malalgoda Committee Report
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Reports
CSR Submission to Ministry of Public Security
Support Desk for Survivors & Affected Families
The Centre for Society & Religion provides ongoing legal counsel, trial observation updates, psycho-social referral, and humanitarian support to survivor families across Colombo, Negombo, Batticaloa, and beyond.