Former Sri Lanka Police Chief Sentenced to Death Over 2019 Easter Bombings

Sri Lanka court sentences ex-police chief Pujith Jayasundara to death for failing to prevent 2019 Easter bombings, killing 279.

Editorial Desk

July 31, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Colombo, Sri Lanka — A Sri Lanka court has sentenced former police chief Pujith Jayasundara to death for failing to prevent the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which resulted in the deaths of 279 people, including 45 foreigners.

In a majority decision, a three-judge bench ruled that Jayasundara, the former inspector general, had neglected his duties to halt the deadly attacks attributed to a home-grown Islamist extremist group. The 66-year-old Jayasundara has the option to appeal his sentence in the Supreme Court.

Sri Lanka hasn’t executed a death sentence in recent history, leaving the ultimate enforcement of the sentence uncertain. The court’s decision underscores the gravity of the failures leading to one of the nation’s most devastating terror attacks.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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