Marking seven years since the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka, the Catholic Church renews its call for truth and justice, as investigations continue amid progress and resistance. Fr Rohan Silva sheds light on ongoing legal developments, unresolved demands for transparency, and the Church’s commitment to sustain pressure while keeping hope alive.
By Linda Bordoni As Sri Lanka commemorates the seventh anniversary of the Easter Sunday bombings, the Catholic Church reaffirms its commitment to pursue truth, accountability, and justice, amid what it describes as both encouraging developments and persistent obstacles. On 21 April 2019, coordinated suicide bombings struck three churches filled with worshippers celebrating Easter, as well as several hotels in the capital, Colombo, and beyond. The attacks claimed the lives of more than 260 people, including many families gathered for Mass, and injured hundreds more. They remain the deadliest acts of violence in the country since the end of its civil war. The findings of a 2023 Channel 4 documentary prompted fresh debate over the conclusions of official investigations and the handling of information in the aftermath of the bombings. Still, those pursuing the truth claim that despite progress and promises, much is still to be done . In an interview with Vatican News, Fr Rohan Silva, OMI, reflected on the current state of the investigations, noting that while certain steps forward have been taken, key demands remain unmet. “We are still waiting,” the Head of the Centre for Society and Religion (CSR) said, referring to the long-requested appointment of an independent special prosecutor. Fr Rohan, who has been at the forefront of the struggle for truth and justice from the beginning, explained that “It has been promised, but we have not yet seen it realised. We feel it is very important, and we must continue to pressurise the government.” His remarks echo concerns he had already shared in a previous interview with Vatican News, when he stressed the need for independent legal oversight to ensure credibility and transparency in the process. Signs of progress amid tensions Among recent developments, Fr Rohan pointed to the arrest earlier this year of Major General Suresh Sallay, on allegations linked to conspiracy and complicity in the attacks, describing it as “a big breakthrough.” At the same time, multiple legal proceedings are underway. The principal case - filed against 25 accused persons and involving more than 23,000 charges - is being heard daily before a panel of three Supreme Court judges. Victims, too, have begun to testify, marking an important stage in the judicial process. In parallel, investigations have expanded to examine revelations made in 2023 that suggested a broader conspiracy behind the attacks. According to Fr Rohan, this line of inquiry has led to renewed scrutiny of several individuals and has already resulted in arrests. Yet, he said, these developments have not come without resistance. “There is strong opposition from certain quarters,” Fr Rohan explained, noting accusations that the investigations amount to a “witch hunt” against military figures once regarded as war heroes during the country’s civil war. “This has created agitation, not only against the government and investigators, but also against the Church, with claims that we are the ones pushing all this,” he added. Despite such criticism, he underlined that the authorities have acted on the basis of evidence gathered through testimonies and official inquiries, explaining that “They have taken these steps after having enough proof in their hand.” Continuing demands for transparency Alongside the judicial process, the Church continues to call for the publication of findings from previous inquiries, documents that have yet to be made public despite earlier assurances. “We have been asking, and we will continue to pressurise the government to release these documents,” Fr Rohan said. “But that request has not been fully realised.” He also highlighted structural challenges that continue to slow progress. “We see a big opposition even within the military apparatus,” he noted, explaining that reluctance among some officials to cooperate has contributed to delays. “When investigators want to question certain officers, the response is not always positive, and that slows down the process unnecessarily.” Hope tempered by realism Despite these difficulties, Fr Rohan insisted that hope must be preserved. “We don’t want to lose hope,” he said. “We feel this is the only government that would be able to deliver justice, because we believe they are not part of this whole conspiracy.” At the same time, he spoke about what he sees as a lack of decisive action at critical moments. “We do not always see the bold decisions that should be taken,” he observed, suggesting that various pressures may be influencing the pace and direction of the investigations. For this reason, he stressed, continued public engagement remains essential. “What we are trying to do is to increase our campaign.” “We must keep pressurising the government so that the investigations can continue without being hampered,” he reiterated. A Church-led witness The Catholic Church, under the leadership of Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, remains at the forefront of the search for justice, working through national and diocesan committees that include clergy, religious congregations, legal experts, and lay representatives. As part of this year’s commemorations, a nationwide day of prayer has been called ahead of 21 April, the anniversary of the attacks. Memorial services will be accompanied by a public march in Katuwapitiya, where the church of St Sebastian, which was targeted in 2019, is located. Fr Rohan described these initiatives as both spiritual and civic in nature. “It is a witness to the fact that we are still continuing our struggle to know the truth and to bring justice to these victims,” he said. Remembering the victims, seeking the truth Seven years after the coordinated bombings that struck churches and hotels on Easter Sunday, the pain of loss remains vivid for many families and communities across the island. “We must keep going,” he said, “we believe that the investigations are moving in the right direction, but they must be allowed to reach their conclusion.” As Sri Lanka pauses to remember the lives lost, the call for truth continues to resonate: insistent, patient, and unresolved.