Sri Lankan agencies on Monday pressed charges against the country’s former police chief Pujith Jayasundara for failing to act on intelligence warnings, resulting in the one of the most horrifying terror attacks in the country that have come to be known as the Easter bombings. 

A court on Monday began the first trial in the case that killed 259 people in 2019. The trial started after countless appeals, seeking greater accountability at every level of the government.  

In the courtroom, 855 charges of murder and attempted murder were read out as Jayasundara and 1,215 witnesses have been listed to give evidence, reported Daily Mirror. 

Ranjith Dehiwala, the lawyer of the former police chief, was quoted as telling Reuters, “Our position is the former police chief is not guilty. He did not intentionally aid or abet the attacks and there was no omission on his part that caused the attacks.” 

The bombings, which happened in 2019, rattled the government then led by president Matripala Sirisena and prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Both of them were later seen avoiding taking responsibility for failing to avert what became the country’s worst terror incident in the decade. 

The attack was carried out by a local affiliate of ISIS. Their operatives were in touch with ISIS leaders. 259 people were killed, mostly members of the minority Christian community in the country. 45 foreigners were also among the dead.

The country’s tourism industry, one of the most important segments of its economy, suffered the most. In the same trial, Hemasiri Fernando, former defense secretary, is also facing similar charges.

The delayed trial began after a lengthy investigation in the cases, resulting in the filing of over 23,000 charges against suspects--including for conspiring to murder, aiding and abetting the attacks, and collecting arms and ammunition.

The group also includes Mohammad Naufer, who officials say masterminded the attacks and is linked to Islamic State. The FBI of the United States had also confirmed the role of Naufer. 

Members of the Catholic Christian community have been consistent in demanding justice in the case, repeatedly holding protests against the government for the slow pace of the investigation. 

Significantly, Indian and Pakistani agencies had tipped off more than once about the impending attacks--the fact also confirmed by the country’s Presidential Inquiry Commission. 

(SAM)