Sri Lanka sentences two ex-security officials to death over 2019 Easter bombings

A Sri Lanka court sentenced two former security officials to death on Friday for failing to prevent the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. The attacks killed 279 people, including 45 foreigners, when suicide bombers struck three churches and three hotels.

Who was sentenced to death over the Sri Lanka Easter bombings?

A three-judge bench sentenced former police chief Pujith Jayasundara and former defence ministry secretary Hemasiri Fernando to death. The Colombo court found that both men failed in their duty to stop the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which were blamed on a homegrown Islamist extremist group.

What did the court rule, and can the men appeal?

The bench reached its verdict in a majority decision, convicting Jayasundara, 66, and Fernando, 76, of negligence leading to the deaths of 279 people. Both men can appeal the sentence in the Supreme Court. They have been remanded to judicial custody until they are granted bail.

Has Sri Lanka carried out the death penalty before?

Sri Lanka has not enforced a death sentence since 1976 and maintains an unofficial moratorium on capital punishment. Government figures shared with parliament in February showed at least 800 people on death row. Their sentences are usually commuted to life imprisonment.

How did the case reach a fast-track court?

Friday's judgment came after the state appealed a 2022 ruling that had acquitted both men. The trial, held at a special fast-track court, heard that an Indian intelligence agency warned Sri Lanka on 4 April 2019 of a possible suicide attack by Islamist extremists. Authorities failed to act on the warning.

What penalties did the officials face before this verdict?

Fernando and Jayasundara were arrested in 2019 and held in custody for four months before being released on bail. Under an earlier civil action, they were ordered to pay 125 million rupees, about $372,464, in damages to survivors of the attack. Prosecutors had told the high court that their negligence amounted to grave crimes against humanity and laid murder charges against them.

What did the officials say about then-president Sirisena?

Jayasundara and Fernando testified to a parliamentary inquiry that then-president Maithripala Sirisena failed to follow established protocols in assessing national security threats ahead of the bombings. Sirisena also held the roles of defence minister and law and order minister at the time. The two men alleged he did not take the threats seriously.