Sri Lanka's High Court has convicted 15 of 24 men accused of involvement in the 2019 Easter bombings that killed 279 people, including 45 foreigners. The verdict follows a five-year trial and marks a significant step in the ongoing investigation into the attacks.
The court found 14 defendants guilty of murder and terrorism-related charges, while one was found guilty of partial charges. Nine others were acquitted. The case highlights the failure of authorities to act on intelligence warnings weeks before the attacks.
The convictions come as Sri Lanka faces scrutiny over its handling of the crisis, with officials previously sentenced to death for failing to prevent the bombings. The case also raises questions about potential state involvement in the attacks, though no conclusive evidence has been presented.
The trial has revealed a complex web of alleged connections between the attackers and state officials, with some facing potential death penalties despite Sri Lanka's moratorium on executions since 1976.