196th Day of the Main Easter Attack Trial – HC (TAB) 2972/21
Date: 29th May 2026|
Venue: Special Permanent Three-Judge High Court (Trial-at-Bar), 2nd Floor, MCC Building, Adhikarana Mawatha, Colombo 12.
PW9, Dr. Binosh Nimalka Perera, Judicial Medical Officer of Colombo, was recalled for the voir dire inquiry related to the 18th Accused to produce a medico-legal document which was not previously tendered.
He stated that the doctor’s copy of the Medico-Legal Examination Form related to the examination of the 18th Accused on 17 June 2021 had not been brought during his earlier testimony.
The said document was produced and marked as R6. He confirmed that R5 was the office copy of the same document. A discrepancy was noted between the two documents regarding the time of production of the accused before the JMO, with R5 indicating 2.30 p.m. and R6 indicating 4.00 p.m. The witness clarified that the time in R6 was a printing error and confirmed that the correct time was 2.30 p.m.
During the cross-examination, suggestions were brought against the testimony as contradictory and TID-influenced by the counsel for the 18th accused and the 9th accused by himself, which he denied. No Cross examination.
PW1401, Jasirkhan Jawfar Sadiq, testified regarding a four-day lecture series held at Delgahagoda Thowheed Mosque in December 2018. He stated that he had been previously detained under the PTA (22.01.2020–30.10.2020) and had given a statement under Section 127 of the Criminal Procedure Code under TID promise. He is currently an engineering student at the University of Moratuwa.
During the examination-in-chief, he described the programme as involving around 40 participants with introductory and religious components led by the mosque’s Maulavi. He alleged that certain lectures included content by Sajith Maulavi (9th Accused) advocating exclusivist ideology and referencing communal incidents in Aluthgama and Kandy; Sadik (4th Accused) allegedly promoted an Islamic state through a multimedia presentation; and Ibrahim (14th Accused) also delivered a lecture. An unidentified Maulavi explained basic religious practices.
During the cross-examination by the 4th and 9th accused, the witness admitted that he participated mainly as a volunteer and not as a full attendee and conceded he may not have followed all lectures completely. He confirmed the programme was open to the public and that there was no instructions regarding violence, weapons, bomb-making, or attacks on religious sites. He also acknowledged attending A/L tuition during the period and being aware he was not present for all sessions.
He further stated during the cross-examination by the 11th Accused that no content promoting attacks on churches, hotels, or Buddhist sites was taught. He admitted knowledge of the 11th Accused through TID detention and reiterated that his Section 127 statement was made to secure release.
During the cross-examination by the 14th Accused, he confirmed the 14th Accused delivered a lecture but denied any unlawful instructions were given.
In re-examination, he affirmed that he had not lied to the TID, Magistrate, or Court and maintained that all statements were truthful. The witness was discharged.
The Court thereafter delivered the order in respect of the voir diar inquiry of the 9th Accused, holding that the statement marked L-01 was voluntarily given and subsequently marked as P188.
Also time for filing written submissions on behalf of the 18th Accused was extended up to 9th of June 2026.
The Court also permitted the 9th Accused to be represented by Attorney-at-Law Ravindu Yasas during his LL.B. examination period from 21 June to 8 July 2026.
Apart from that the copies of witness statements who will be coming to give evidance in next days were furnished to the accused in Sinhala and Tamil languages.
The matter was adjourned and fixed for the 1st of June 2026 at 10.00 a.m.
