Bombers hit hotels and churches, killing 279. There are allegations that elements within the state may have been linked to the culprits
2-MIN READ2-MIN ListenAgence France-PressePublished: 5:26pm, 22 Sep 2026Sri Lanka is set to conclude on Tuesday the trial of 24 men accused of plotting the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, the deadliest attack against civilians in the island’s history.
Suicide bombers struck three luxury hotels and three churches on April 21, 2019, killing 279 people, including 45 foreigners.
Investigators blame the attack on a home-grown Islamist extremist group.
One of 25 men indicted over alleged involvement in the attack – all from Sri Lanka’s Muslim minority – has died in custody, leaving 24 defendants to stand trial.
