Easter Attack Survivors Project

In dedication to the lives we lost and those that survived.

For many survivors, the aftermath of the Easter Attack has not ended. They still feel ignored, isolated, and alone. Grieving for loved ones, physically injured, displaced from workplaces, and mourning the loss of their previous normal lifestyles, they deserve a platform to share their own stories.

In creating this community, we aim to unburden, in any small way, anyone who was affected by this tragedy. Survivors are realizing, that while their individual experiences were vastly different, by sharing their narrative, knowledge, and coping mechanisms they can help themselves and each other.

With this need in mind, the Easter Attack Survivors Project was formed.

Human Library: Interfaith Discussion on the Easter Attack

This was not a formal panel discussion.

This was a library of people from diverse backgrounds, coming together to have an interfaith conversation on the Easter attack.

Our objective was to have a very open, personal, one-to-one conversation with Sri Lankans from all religious communities engaging with the problem of terrorism, violent extremism and attaining peace and reconciliation.

So many moving stories were shared.

We invite you to read them, below.

The Other Side: Stories from the Detainees Families

The Survivors of the Easter Sunday Attack Speak

Foreign Survivor Lewis Allen shares his story

Professionals Who Support Our Cause

“I personally believe that this is an invaluable humanitarian endeavour and initiative to be a constant source of support and strength to these survivors of the Easter Attack in April 2019. I hope all professionals and empathetic leaders will continue to support this invaluable initiative”.

Ashan Malalasekera

Country Director Global Peace Institute Sri Lankan Chapter & Chairman Arinma Holdings

"Sri Lanka could come out stronger after the Easter Sunday tragedy. However, it is a journey, we all have to hold hands and walk together. If you have no friends across the religious and ethnic spectrum, we will live isolated lives. The religious and ethnic entrepreneurs who seek to divide us will win. To build social cohesion, all Sri Lankans should understand the gravity of the situation and should move forward under the theme of unity in diversity."

Major Gen. Dharshana Hettiarrachchi

Commissioner General of Rehabilitation

"The Survivors are the living witness of the terrible inhumane attack which destroyed our Sri Lankan brotherhood. I strongly believe they can become ambassadors of peace through our support by creating a platform to express their pain. As Sri Lankans this should be our top priority in the present context."

Sheikh Arkam Nooramith

Islamic Scholar and Leader

"To assist them in the long term is such a wholesome plan of action that we endorse wholeheartedly, empathizing with their unfortunate circumstances. Many blessings towards this worthy endeavor to gather more support in seeing to their future wellbeing and happiness, which is the least we can do, humanely, to unite in serving mankind towards promoting the ideals of goodwill, peace and harmony."

Kushil Gunasekera

Founder & Chief Trustee Foundation of Goodness

"When we lose something very dear to us suddenly and in an unexpected manner it is very difficult to accept. It can be an agonizing journey towards acceptance and rebuilding. There is no magic formula to help anyone grieve easily. We all have to go through all the phases on our own and the time taken will be different. Most of the time survivors are forgotten in no time. Creating this platform to share their grief and experiences of how they deal with their loss and the ways in which they celebrate the life of their loved ones is praise worthy."

Kumudini de Silva

Chairperson Sri Lanka Sumithrayo

"Healing will begin when one accepts that one's own life can be used for the benefit of others - who are similarly affected, and ultimately Sri Lanka itself. This platform can build and grow with time, to enable these youth, to turn and look outwards and to use their skills, energy, talents and strength to build up inter-communal harmony between youth of all of our communities, to make Sri Lanka more united and stronger as a Nation."

Bertal Pinto-Jayawardena

Founder Trustee / Co-ordinator - Unity Mission Trust and Chairman Spectrum Trainers and Corporate Consultants Pvt Ltd

"Many survivors live in pain, agony and sorrow. The greatest tribute we can pay to those we lost is to prevent the next attack. The strategy is to build a harmonious Sri Lanka by protecting its citizens from exclusivist ideologies from overseas. Every citizen has to accept the responsibility and play his or her role. Without social harmony, there is neither political stability nor economic prosperity. Sri Lanka can become a First World nation only if we build a policy and legal framework to maintain ethnic and religious harmony. Harnessing the dreams and the spirit of those we lost on Easter Sunday 2019, let’s provide that visionary, collective and decisive leadership."

Prof. Rohan Gunaratna

Specialist in national security with expertise in counter terrorism

The Lives we Lost

Do you know someone who lost their life?

You can honor and pay homage to them by sending in a Tribute. View all Tributes here.

Are you a Survivor?

We have identified two broad categories of Survivors:

1. Primary Survivors – those who were present at the attack or lost loved one/s, and

2. Secondary Survivors – those who were indirectly affected by the attack (e.g. your business suffered, you were subject to racism/discrimination etc., or any other way in which this attack affected you.)

Whichever category you belong to, we are looking for your story.
By sending in your submission, you will also be helping other survivors in this community.

(All three languages are welcome)

Survivor Stories

Kieran - Quote — Kieran Shafritz de Zoysa

Who Are We?

We are a dynamic group of volunteers, driven by the need to serve the Survivors of the tragic Easter Attack in Sri Lanka.

Click below to Meet Our Team.

Follow us on Facebook

Volunteer With Us

Are you passionate about working towards helping the survivors of the Easter Attack in their healing journey? Do you feel strongly about promoting understanding, moderation, and harmony among communities in Sri Lanka?

We need you! We’re looking for translators, content providers, videographers and anyone interested in serving this cause.

Join Our Mailing List

and stay updated with our news