Sri Lanka Supreme Court Orders Former President to Settle Easter Attack Compensation

Sri Lanka's Supreme Court has ordered former President Maithripala Sirisena to complete payment of Rs 100 million in compensation to the victims of the 2019 Easter attacks by August 30. Sirisena requested more time, having paid Rs 58 million so far. The attacks killed over 270 people, including 11 Indians.

The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka mandated that former President Maithripala Sirisena must pay the remaining compensation to the victims of the 2019 Easter terror attacks by August 30.

Sirisena has already disbursed Rs 58 million out of the Rs 100 million ordered. He sought an additional six years for the remaining payment.

The 2019 attacks, executed by the National Thawheed Jamaat linked to ISIS, left more than 270 dead, including 11 Indians, across churches and hotels on Easter Sunday.

In January 2023, the Supreme Court determined the previous government officials had failed to prevent the attacks despite credible threats, and ordered the payment of compensations.

The respondents, apart from Sirisena, included former police chief Pujith Jayasundara and ex-State Intelligence Services chief Nilantha Jayawardena, who were also ordered to pay compensations.