130th Day of the Main Easter Attack Trial – HC (TAB) 2972/21
Date: 14th January 2026|
Venue: Special Trial-at-Bar, Colombo 07
The case was taken up before the Trial-at-Bar with all accused present, except for the 17th accused, who had passed away.
The court convened to discuss arrangements for securing legal representation for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 16th, 19th, 20th, and 23rd accused. The court inquired whether these accused could retain lawyers to appear on their behalf at their own expense, to which the accused responded that they needed to consult with close family members.
Accordingly, the court instructed officials T.S. Jayaratne and A.K.S. Gimhan, who were present in the Court today, to inform the authorities of the Colombo Magazine Prison and the Colombo Remand Prison to ensure that the necessary arrangements are made for the accused to have access to their family members on Saturday, the 17th of January 2026.
The court further emphasized that it is appropriate for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 16th, 19th, 20th, and 23rd accused to be provided with legal assistance at the expense of the State. Consequently, the court directed the President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka and the Chairperson of the Legal Aid Commission to submit in writing a list of suitable lawyers to be appointed by the State for this purpose.
In addition, regarding the 9th accused, who is scheduled to sit for an examination in January, the court instructed that the prison authorities be informed to provide the necessary facilities to allow him to prepare for and attend the examination.
The matter was fixed to be called again on 19th January 2026 at 10.00 a.m. for further trial.
