Sunday’s Blast: Sri Lanka’s Most Deadly Attack in 17 Years
What happened: On Easter Sunday, a chain of coordinated bombings went off in Sri Lanka’s capital, slamming the island into its worst security crisis since the 2009 civil war ended.
Targets and Timing
- First wave: 8:45 a.m. – 6 bombs exploded almost simultaneously (4 at once, 2 within 20 minutes).
- Second wave: Afternoon – two more blasts, plus a handful of unexploded devices found around the city.
- Key points: Churches, luxury hotels that welcome foreign tourists, and a van full of explosives discovered later.
Kill Count
— 290 people lost their lives.
— 500 others suffered injuries.
Who’s Behind It?
So far no group has claimed responsibility, but experts point to foreign terror networks. Two main suspects:
- Islamic State – the classic “IS” signature shows up in the bomb designs and coordination.
- Al Qaeda – equally capable of sophisticated attacks.
Both organisations have used churches and hotels as “soft targets” before, and the Sri Lankan bombings mirror that pattern. The attacks shift the focus from government sites – the usual revenge targets of Tamil separatists – to places that resonate more with Western interests.
What Experts Said
Alto Labetubun, who’s been studying IS and al Qaeda for a decade, explained: “These synchronized attacks are definitely out of the ordinary for Sri Lanka. The design, timing, and scope look like something you’d see in the Middle East, not a post‑war transition nation.”
A senior Asian counter‑terrorism official added: “The team behind this had significant operational capability and hi‑level commanders. The scale suggests foreign involvement.”
Rohan Gunaratna, based in Singapore, said the perpetrators were likely the Sri Lankan branch of IS – a small crew that had ties with travellers in Syria and Iraq. “There’s a strong link to people who’ve gone abroad to join the hardline group.”
Pratyush Rao from Control Risks pointed out, “While Sri Lanka has an abundance of explosives, the sophistication of these attacks hints at overseas connections. No direct link to IS has been disclosed yet, but inspiration from IS tactics is plausible.”
Government Response
President Maithripala Sirisena’s office mentioned foreign terror groups were behind the attacks and shouted for international support.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe noted the government had some intel on potential church attacks involving a little‑known Islamist group before the blasts.
Global Context
Bloody examples of church bombings are not new to the region:
- Surabaya, Indonesia – 2016.
- Jolo, Philippines – 2023.
In both cases, IS claimed responsibility.
What Happens Next?
US State Dept. has issued a travel warning, saying more attacks are a real risk.
Security agencies are combing the city for hidden devices, and the point‑by‑point investigation is already underway. The focus? Untangling whether this was a local operation inspired by broader trans‑national jihadists or a genuine collaboration with a foreign terror outfit.
Bottom Line
It’s a stark reminder that even a peaceful, predominantly Buddhist nation can be dragged into a global security storm. And it’s a wake‑up call for governments to keep a watchful eye on the cross‑border flow of extremist ideology and the petri dishes that fuel it. For now, Sri Lanka mourns its dead, protects its wounded, and rallies for answers.
