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2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings

3:37

Sri Lanka blasts: More than 200 dead in bombings across country

2:19

Sri Lanka Easter bombing suspect caught on camera

2:46

Moment of explosion at Sri Lanka's Kingsbury Hotel caught on CCTV

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WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT: Trial begins over 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings

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CCTV footage of Sri Lanka suicide bombing suspects

On 21 April 2019, Easter Sunday, three churches in Sri Lanka and three luxury hotels in the commercial capital Colombo were targeted in a series of coordinated terrorist suicide bombings. Later that day, there were smaller explosions at a housing complex in Dematagoda and a guest house in Dehiwala. 259 people were killed, including at least 45 foreign nationals and three police officers, and at least 500 were injured. The church bombings were carried out during Easter services in Negombo, Batticaloa and Colombo; the hotels that were bombed were the Shangri-La, Cinnamon Grand, Kingsbury and Tropical Inn. According to the State Intelligence Service a second wave of attacks was also planned but was stopped as a result of government raids.
  • Background 

  • Attacks 

  • Aftermath 

  • Government response 

  • Perpetrators 

  • Impact 

  • Reactions