129th Day of the Main Easter Attack Trial – HC (TAB) 2972/21
Date: 13th January 2026|
Venue: Special Trial-at-Bar, Colombo 07
Before trial, the accused requested additional time and a private visit to discuss with their families regarding resigning their assigned Counsels, noting that only 2-minute weekend calls were insufficient. The Court directed Colombo Remand Prison and Magazine Prison to facilitate the accused to access these private consultations with their families.
On behalf of the 8th Accused, it was objected to the admissibility of the 8th Accused’s statement (D1), claiming it was not recorded before ASP Wijitha Perera and that he signed it under compulsion and fear of torture at CID by several officers.
Learned Counsel for the 8th Accused conducted examination-in-chief; The 8th Accused stated he had seen ASP Wijitha Perera at CID on the fourth floor but never made any such statement; alleged he was compelled to sign each page without reading it; claimed torture and fear made the statement involuntary.
The 8th Accused was cross-examined by the Prosecution; no re-examination was conducted.
After that, PW2058, Inspector Of Police Madawa Gunarathna, gave evidence; he was the person who brought the 8th Accused before the JMO and Magazine Prison, Batticaloa. Examination-in-chief was conducted.
During the cross-examination of PW2058 (D2 to D6), exhibits were marked and D3 to D6 were recorded as admissions of the 8th Accused under Section 420 CPC:
D1 – Confessional statement to ASP Wijitha Perera (challenged by 8th Accused)
D2 – Court Form 18/2020, copy of Medical Officer
D3 – Doctor’s report issued in relation to Court Form No. 18/2020
D4 – Police copy of Court Form 20/2020
D5 – Court Form 20/2020, copy of the Medical Officer
D6 – Doctor’s Report issued in relation to Court Form 20/2020
After PW2058’s evidence, the 8th Accused’s Counsel confirmed no further witnesses would be called for the defence.
Prosecution informed the Court they will call witnesses to prove D1 was voluntarily made by the 8th Accused and accordingly requested summons for witnesses PW2091, PW2092, PW2094, PW2096, PW2098, PW2099, PW2101, PW2103, PW2104, PW1972, and PW1509 to be presented on 19/01/2026. Due to personal difficulty of Counsel representing the 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 23rd Accused, he requested that no trial be conducted on 14th and 16th January.
The 14th January at 10.00 am was fixed as a calling date, while 19th January was fixed as the next trial date.
