165th Day of the Main Easter Attack Trial – HC (TAB) 2972/21
Date: 2nd April 2026|
Venue: Special Trial-at-Bar, Colombo 07
The matter was taken up before the Trial-at-Bar. All accused were present, except for the 17th accused, who had passed away. The 12th and the 13th accused were represented by a counsel. Hon. Judge Sujeewa Nishshanka was not present due to his medical condition but joined the proceedings via Zoom.
At the commencement of proceedings, the Prosecution informed the Court that PW 605, 606, 614, 615, 619, 621, 625, and 631 were present at the Town Hall, Katuwapitiya, to give evidence online during the morning session. The Prosecution further indicated that the evidence-in-chief of PW 611, 393, 533, 616, 686, 690, 636, 581, 612, 664, 676 and 667 would be led online after 1.00 p.m. on the same day.
The Court confirmed that it was satisfied with the facilities available in the Courtroom to take evidence from the witnesses who were present at the Town Hall, Katuwapitiya in terms of Section 84 of the Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act, No. 10 of 2023. Accordingly, PW 605, 606, 614, 615, 619, 621, 625, 631, 611, 393, 533, 616, 686, 690, 636, 581, 612, 664, 676 and 667 testified before the Court. All these witnesses were victims of the Easter Sunday bomb attack that occurred at St. Sebastian’s Church, Katuwapitiya, on 21st April 2019, and their testimonies are related to the circumstances of the attack, the injuries they sustained, and the loss of lives resulting from the incident. None of these witnesses were cross-examined.
At the conclusion of proceedings, the Court issued summons to PW 577, 578, 591, 596, 601, 602, 604, 607-610, 613, 618, 620, 622-624, 626, 629, 630 to be present at the Town Hall, Katuwapitiya, on 6th April 2026.
The matter was fixed for further trial on 6th April 2026 at 10.00 a.m.
