The US fully supports the Sri Lankan Government’s efforts to prosecute the perpetrators of the Easter Sunday suicide attacks on 21 April 2019, the US Embassy in Colombo said in a statement today following the indictment of three Sri Lankans by the US Department of Justice over the attacks.

On 8 January, the US Department of Justice announced criminal charges against three Sri Lankan nationals for terrorism offenses, including conspiring to provide material support to ISIS. According to the complaint, the defendants were part of a group of ISIS supporters that called itself ‘ISIS in Sri Lanka’.

The Justice Department said the group is responsible for the 2019 Easter Attacks that killed 268 people, including five US citizens.

Issuing a statement, the US Embassy said at the request of Sri Lankan authorities, the US provided investigative assistance to Sri Lankan law enforcement immediately after the 21 April attacks and continues to support Sri Lanka’s efforts to prosecute the perpetrators.

The US Department of Justice is providing details of the charges to Sri Lankan prosecutors who are building the Sri Lankan government’s case.

“The United States fully supports the Sri Lankan efforts to hold these men and their associates accountable for these crimes. The United States appreciates the close cooperation with Sri Lanka and shared commitment to bringing these terrorists to justice.”

The full statement issued by the US Justice Department can be found online via lk.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/149/DOJ-release-English.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0e1qXiz-QJ5i1CGzPym6-AprScfhcJLEYKWM1gTyZWAhX0VL5XhC2yzV4.

US charges 3 Sri Lankans over 2019 IS Easter attacks