Sri Lanka

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Pope Francis meets with the Sri Lankan community in Italy in St. Peter’s Basilica, April 25, 2022.

Pope Francis asks authorities to shed light on Sri Lanka Easter bombings

Apr 25, 2022

By CNA Staff

‘This will bring peace to your conscience and to the nation,’ the pope said. Read more

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo in his cathedral city, Jan. 13, 2015.

Sri Lankan cardinal laments slow pace, possible corruption in Easter attacks investigation

Mar 21, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

The Archbishop of Colombo highlighted the frustrations of his people over the perceived lack of investigation and prosecutions related to... Read more

April 21, 2021: Catholics mark the second anniversary of the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka that killed more than 260 people.

Sri Lankan court acquits security officials over Easter attacks

Feb 18, 2022

By CNA Staff

A court in Sri Lanka on Friday acquitted two former security officials who charged with negligence relating to the 2019... Read more

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith outside his residence in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Jan. 13, 2015, arrives to greet Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Colombo cardinal says Sri Lankan officials out to mislead pope over probe into 2019 attacks

Sep 9, 2021

By Jose Torres, Jr.

The Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, warned that Sri Lanka’s top government officials are out to mislead Pope Francis... Read more

A policeman stands guard at St. Anthony's church in Colombo, Aug. 21, 2021, next to a placard and black flags placed in protest for the alleged failure to prosecute those responsible for the bomb attacks of Easter Sunday 2019. Credit: Ishara S. Kodikara/AFP via Getty Images.

Catholics in Sri Lanka fly black flags to protest perceived government failure to prosecute over Easter attack

Aug 24, 2021

By Jose Torres, Jr.

Catholics in Sri Lanka wore black and hoisted black flags on Saturday to show their indignation over the government’s failure... Read more

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo in his cathedral city, Jan. 13, 2015.

Sri Lankan cardinal calls for protests over government's Easter attack inquiry

Aug 17, 2021

By Jose Torres, Jr.

Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith of Colombo has called on the people to demonstrate Aug. 21 to protest what he described as... Read more

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo in his cathedral city, Jan. 13, 2015.

Sri Lankan bishops demand answers from president, two years after Easter bombing

Jul 14, 2021

By CNA Staff

In a July 12 letter addressed to the president of Sri Lanka, Catholic leaders criticized the “lethargic pace” of a... Read more

Sri Lanka's government proposes burqa ban

Apr 29, 2021

Despite concerns from religious rights groups, the Sri Lanka government is planning to introduced a ban on the wearing in... Read more

April 21, 2021: Catholics mark the second anniversary of the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka that killed more than 260 people.

Former Sri Lankan cabinet minister arrested for alleged links to Easter 2019 anti-Christian terror

Apr 28, 2021

Two years after bombings in Sri Lanka killed hundreds at several churches and hotels on Easter, police on Saturday arrested... Read more

Ambulances are seen outside the church premises with gathered people and security personnel following a blast at the St. Anthony's Shrine in Kochchikade, Colombo on April 21, 2019.

Sri Lankan religious leaders condemn extremism two years after Easter bombing

Apr 21, 2021

By CNA Staff

Numerous religious leaders gathered in Sri Lanka to mark the second anniversary of the 2019 Easter Sunday suicide bombings and... Read more

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo, Jan. 13, 2015.

Cardinal Ranjith leads Sri Lankan Catholics in prayer for justice two years after Easter bombing

Apr 7, 2021

More than 260 people died and over 500 were injured in suicide bomb attacks on Easter Sunday in 2019. Read more

Ambulances are seen outside the church premises with gathered people and security personnel following a blast at the St. Anthony's Shrine in Kochchikade, Colombo on April 21, 2019.

Two years after Easter attacks, Sri Lankan Catholics still calling for answers

Mar 21, 2021

By CNA Staff

Catholic leaders in Sri Lanka are urging the government to step up its efforts to investigate the 2019 Easter Sunday... Read more

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith outside his residence in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Jan. 13, 2015.

Catholic bishops urge Sri Lankan government to release report on 2019 Easter bombings

Feb 24, 2021

The Sri Lankan government must release its report on the Easter 2019 terrorist attack on Christian churches and hotels, say... Read more

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo in his cathedral city, Jan. 13, 2015.

Sri Lankan cardinal: It is 'sad and unfortunate' that Easter bombing suspects are released

Oct 6, 2020

A year and a half after church and hotel bombings killed 259 people and injured another 500 in Sri Lanka,... Read more

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo, Jan. 13, 2015.

Catholics have forgiven Easter church bombers, says cardinal

Apr 13, 2020

Sri Lanka’s Catholics have forgiven the bombers who struck their churches last Easter, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has said.  Read more

Fr. Jude Raj Fernando at the Basilica of St. Bartholomew on Tiber Island, Oct. 24, 2019.

‘Our faith is stronger than their bombs’: A Sri Lankan priest in Rome

Oct 24, 2019

By Courtney Mares

As the pastor of a parish in which many families lost a mother, father, or child in a bombing on... Read more

A Sri Lankan soldier stands guard outside St. Theresa’s church in Colombo on May 12, 2019.

Sri Lanka holds first public Masses since Easter attacks

May 13, 2019

The Sri Lankan Catholic Church on May 12 held its first public Sunday Masses since suicide bombers claimed more than... Read more

Sri Lankan Catholic students.

‘Bodies were everywhere’: Sri Lanka priests recount the horror of Easter attacks

May 7, 2019

By Mary Farrow

As Fr. Eranga De-Silva finished celebrating Easter Sunday Mass at his parish in Sri Lanka, he noticed policemen guarding the... Read more

A priest wears a crucifix at the residence of Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith April 30, 2019.

Despite ongoing threats, ordination Mass takes place in Sri Lanka

Apr 30, 2019

As most Catholic churches remain closed across Sri Lanka, following the Easter bombings that claimed more than 250 lives, one... Read more

Bishop Joseph Bambera of Scranton celebrating the 2019 Chrism Mass. Courtesy photo, Diocese of Scranton.

Social media, polarization risk fueling violence, bishop says

Apr 30, 2019

By Christine Rousselle

Religious intolerance and violence are being fueled by a polarized society and fanned by social media, Bishop Joseph Bambera of... Read more