Easter Sunday blasts case: Sri Lanka court finds 15 accused guilty; nine others acquitted

Sri Lanka’s High Court on Tuesday (September 22, 2206) convicted 14 of the 24 men for being directly involved in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings , which killed 279 people.

The three-judge Bench found that 14 of the accused were guilty on all charges, which included murder, conspiracy to commit terrorism and possessing firearms and explosives under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

A 15th defendant was found guilty of only some of the charges, while nine others were acquitted.

The presiding Judge told a packed court that sentencing would be done later on Tuesday (September 22, 2026). Dozens of police commandos provided security outside as the verdicts were read.

The men were accused of aiding and abetting the suicide bombers who struck three luxury hotels and three churches on April 21, 2019, killing 279 people, including 45 foreigners.