A gunman opened fire at a church in Manampitiya, Sri Lanka, on Friday, as the country remains on high alert six years after the deadly Easter Sunday bombings. The incident, which occurred 160 kilometers northeast of the capital Colombo, caused damage to windows but resulted in no injuries. A suspect has been arrested, with police suggesting the attack may have been motivated by personal animosity towards the church’s pastor.
The shooting comes amid increased security measures at churches nationwide, with armed police and troops deployed in the wake of the 2019 bombings. In that attack, suicide bombers killed 279 people, including 45 foreigners, targeting three churches and hotels. The bombing, attributed to a home-grown Islamist group, also left over 500 people wounded.
As Easter celebrations continue, Sri Lanka’s Catholic community is preparing to commemorate the victims on Monday, declaring them “Heroes of the Faith.” However, many within the community continue to demand justice, with accusations that previous investigations into the bombings have failed to address key questions. High-level inquiries have also raised concerns about possible links between military intelligence units and the attackers.
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