Date : 11/01/2024
Case number : HC(TAB) 2972/21
Brief update: The subject case was taken up before the Trial at Bar for the evidence of the 20th witness (witness no: 21) and 21st witness (witness no:183).
The 20th witness is a victim who became hearing impaired due to the 2019 Easter attack at St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade. Relevant CCTV footages were shown to the witness in the court. Out of counsel for the accused one counsel cross examined the witness. Prosecution informed the court that they do not intend to re – examine.
A CCTV footage related to the easter attacks obtained from the CCTV cameras installed at the house of the 21st witness was marked. Evidence was given that a vehicle bomb exploded in front of this witness’s house on the day after the Easter attack. After the Easter attack on 21st April 2019, the witness’s daughter has informed the witness that she was suspicious about the vehicle in question after checking the CCTV cameras in the house. After that witness had informed the police and a Rev. Father of Kochchikade, St.Anthony’s church. The witness said that the concerned officers came and checked the vehicle and asked them to leave the house after watching the CCTV footage. Relevant CCTV footages were shown to the witness in the court. Lawyers of the accused informed the court that they do not intend to cross – examine the 21st witness.
The prosecution informed the court that they are intending to call witnesses regarding the Easter bomb attack in Katuwapitiya church on the next day.
Accordingly the court issued summons to 814th and 817th witness on 16th January 2024 and 823rd witness and 2194th witness on 17th January 2024 to be present before the Court.
Lawyer of the 12th Accused informed the court that his client is sitting for Advanced Level exam on 18th January 2024, therefore, the Court prevented from scheduling the case on 18th January 2024.
Next date: The case will be taken up on 16th and 17th of January 2024 at 1.00 p.m for further trial.
