The Easter Sunday Bombings in Sri Lanka: A Tragic Reminder of Evil and the Urgency of

The Easter Sunday Bombings in Sri Lanka

On Easter Sunday, 2019, while Christians in Sri Lanka were celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ in their various churches, eight bombs went off in different parts of the country, targeting churches and hotels. This was a coordinated attack that left at least 290 people dead and over 500 injured. The bombings were a tragic reminder of the reality of evil in our world and the urgency of the gospel.

What Happened

The bombings took place in four cities: Kochchikade, Negombo, Batticaloa, and Colombo. Three churches and three luxury hotels were targeted. According to reports, the first bomb went off at around 8:45 a.m. local time at St. Anthony’s Shrine in Kochchikade, a Catholic church in the capital city of Colombo. Within minutes, bombs went off in two other churches: St. Sebastian’s Church in Negombo, and Zion Church in Batticaloa. The hotels that were attacked were the Shangri-La, the Cinnamon Grand, and the Kingsbury.

The bombings were carried out by suicide bombers, and they were timed to coincide with the Easter Sunday services in the churches. The blasts caused chaos and confusion, and many people lost their lives while others were injured. The government declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew to prevent further violence.

Who is Responsible

Several groups have claimed responsibility for the bombings, but the authorities have blamed a local Islamist extremist group called National Thowheed Jamaath (NTJ). The group has been known for its extremist views and has been linked to the desecration of Buddhist statues in the past. The government has also said that the group had received outside help, possibly from the Islamic State (ISIS).

The bombings have been condemned by leaders from around the world, including the Pope, who expressed his solidarity with the victims and their families. The Sri Lankan government has vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice and has arrested several suspects.

The Impact on Sri Lanka

The bombings have had a profound impact on Sri Lanka, a country that has been struggling to emerge from decades of civil war. The attacks have shattered the relative peace and stability that the country has enjoyed in recent years and have raised fears of renewed violence and instability.

The bombings have also exposed the fault lines that exist within Sri Lankan society, particularly between the majority Buddhist population and the minority Muslim community. There have been reports of vigilante attacks on Muslim-owned businesses and mosques, and there are concerns that this could lead to further violence.

What We Can Learn

As Christians, we are called to love our neighbors and to pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). The bombings in Sri Lanka are a reminder of the reality of evil in our world and the need for the gospel. We live in a fallen world where sin and death are ever present, but through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have hope.

Jesus himself warned his disciples that they would face persecution and trials in this world, but he also promised them that he had overcome the world (John 16:33). As followers of Jesus, we are called to bear witness to his love and his truth in a world that is hostile to the gospel. We are called to be agents of peace and reconciliation, even in the face of violence and persecution.

Pray for Sri Lanka

Let us pray for the people of Sri Lanka, especially for those who have lost loved ones in the bombings. Let us pray for the authorities as they seek to bring the perpetrators to justice. Let us pray for the churches in Sri Lanka, that they would be a source of hope and comfort to those who are grieving.

Let us also pray for ourselves, that we would have the courage and the faith to bear witness to Jesus Christ in a world that is hostile to his message. Let us pray that we would be agents of peace and reconciliation, even in the face of violence and persecution.

Conclusion

The Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka were a senseless act of violence that has left a deep scar on the country. As Christians, we must respond with love and compassion, even in the face of evil. We must pray for the people of Sri Lanka and for ourselves, that we would be faithful witnesses to the gospel in a world that is desperate for hope.