166th Day of the Main Easter Attack Trial – HC (TAB) 2972/21
Date: 6th April 2026|
Venue: Special Trial-at-Bar, Colombo 07
The matter was taken up before the Trial-at-Bar. All accused were present, except the 17th accused, who had passed away. The 12th and 13th accused were represented by a counsel. Hon. Judge Sujeewa Nishshanka was also present on the Bench today. The matter was taken up at the MCC Building, Adhikarana Mawatha, Colombo 12.
At the commencement of proceedings, the Prosecution informed the Court that PW 601, 602, 604, 610, 613, 618, 623, 624, and 629 were present at the Town Hall, Katuwapitiya, to give evidence during the morning session. The Prosecution further indicated that the evidence-in-chief of PW 577, 578, 591, 596, 620, 626, and 630 would be led after 1.00 p.m. on the same day. The Court was also informed that PW 607, 608, 609, and 622 had notified the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) that they are unable to attend to give evidence today.
Further, the Prosecution informed Court that PW 443, 675, and 597 were present at the Town Hall, Katuwapitiya, together with their relatives, although summons had not yet been issued to them. Upon seeking permission from Court to proceed with their evidence-in-chief, the Court granted the necessary permission. Accordingly, PW 624, 618, 443, 610, 613, 601, 596, 597, 602, 604, 623, 626, 629, 577, 591, 675, 620, and 630 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 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 the proceedings, the Court issued summons to PW 404, 632, 633, 637, 639, 640–645, and 646–654 to be present at the Town Hall, Katuwapitiya, on 7th April 2026.
The matter was fixed for further trial on 7th April 2026 at 10.00 a.m.
