The 167 individuals who lost their lives in the Easter Sunday terror attacks at St. Anthony’s Shrine in Kochchikade and St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya have been declared Heroes of Faith, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith announced.

Their names have been officially added to the Catalogue of the Witnesses of the Faith by the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, recognising their martyrdom.

Cardinal Ranjith made the announcement during the main memorial service held today at St. Anthony’s Shrine, marking six years since the devastating bombings.

The solemn ceremony was led by the Archbishop and attended by clergy, relatives of the victims, and members of the public, who gathered in prayer and remembrance.