2024.02.27- 41st day of the Main Easter Attacks Criminal Trial against 24 Accused

Date : 27/02/2024 Case number : HC(TAB) 2972/21 Brief update: The subject case was taken up before the Trial at Bar for the further evidence of the 43rd witness (witness No : 1102), the 44th witness (witness No : 1103) and the 45th witness ( witness No : 1109). Also witness No 1058 and 1152 was present before the court. The 23rd accused was not present in the court as he was taking medicine in the prison hospital. However, his lawyer represented him. The witness No. 1102 is a driver. The witness had driven a bomber from Katunayake Airport to Dematagoda on 19th April 2019. Relevant CCTV footage were shown to the witness and marked.The Witness said he dropped the bomber near a white colour painted big house with several floors in Dematagoda. The picture of that place taken by the ‘Scene of Crime Officers’ (SOCO) was shown to the witness and marked. The evidence in chief of the witness was concluded. The lawyers of the accused informed the court that they do not intend to cross examine. The witness No. 1103 had driven pick me & Uber rides at the time period of the Easter bomb blast happened. On 19th April 2019 he had picked up a bomber from Mahawela Gardens (Colombo 10) and dropped him before Dinemore. Relevant documents were shown to the witness and marked. Also a document which had been subjected to the burden of proof shown to this witness and marked a relevant part of that document. Relevant CCTV footage was shown to the witness and marked. The evidence in chief of the witness was concluded. The lawyers of the accused informed the court that they do not intend to cross examine. Two bombers were gone by witness No. 1109’ s car on 21st April 2019. The bombers were picked up by the witness from Span tower (Mount Lavinia) and dropped one bomber in Cinnamon Grand hotel in Colombo and another one dropped in Taj hotel in Colombo. Relevant CCTV footages and documents were shown to the witness and marked. Also a production (a luggage) which was already marked shown to the witness. The evidence in chief of the witness was concluded. The lawyers of the accused informed the court that they do not intend to cross examine. Witness No. 1058 and witness No. 1152 were advised to be present before the court on 28th February 2024. The court issued summons to witness No. 1101 and witness No. 1115 to be present before the court on the 28th February 2024. Due to a request by the Additional Solicitor General Ms. Haripriya Jayasundara the court gave permission to amend the witness list. The amended list includes names of witness No 2197 to 2218. Next dates: The case will be taken up on the 28th of February 2024 at 1.00 p.m for further trial.