200th Day of the Main Easter Attack Trial – HC (TAB) 2972/21
Date: 04th June 2026|
Venue: Special Permanent Three-Judge High Court (Trial-at-Bar), 2nd Floor, MCC Building, Adhikarana Mawatha, Colombo 12.
At the commencement of the proceedings, the PW1400th evidence was continued through cross-examination by multiple accused.
During further cross-examination by the Fourth Accused, the witness was challenged with alleged inconsistencies in his earlier statements. It was suggested that in his statements dated 23 January 2019 and 27 January 2019 he had stated that he attended a Matara programme, whereas in his statement recorded under Section 127 before the Mawanella Magistrate on 28 June 2019 he had stated that he attended a Hambantota programme. Thus, it was suggested that the witness had therefore given contradictory versions regarding the location of the programme. The Fourth Accused also pointed out inconsistencies regarding the duration of the programme, suggesting that the witness had at different times stated that the Hambanthota program was held only for the duration of one hour, another time it was one day and at other times two days, and that he had given multiple inconsistent versions (three different) of the same events. It was further suggested that the witness had not actually participated in the Hambantota programme and, due to that absence, he had given contradictory evidence. This was denied by the witness.
The Fourth Accused further suggested that the statements attributed to the witness had been prepared or created by police officers and did not reflect his original or true evidence. The witness denied this and maintained that his statements were voluntary. It was further suggested that he had given false information against the accused under the guidance and direction of CID Officer Wijayaratna, which the witness also denied.
Thereafter, the Fifth Accused cross-examined the witness and suggested that he was lying. It was further suggested that in August 2016 the Fifth Accused was not in Sri Lanka during that period. He added that the month may be changed, but maintained that the incident itself was true. The Fifth Accused further suggested that the witness’s statements dated 13, 23, 24, and 27 January 2019 and 5 February 2019 contained contradictions, which the witness denied.
The Ninth Accused then cross-examined the witness with reference to his statement under Section 127 of the Code of Criminal Procedure before the Mawanella Magistrate on 28 June 2019, where the witness had stated that he and the Ninth Accused had fired shots towards a river in Mawanella. The Ninth Accused suggested that such firing would have caused noise and questioned whether nearby residents had made complaints. The witness stated that he did not know. It was further suggested that the absence of complaints indicated that the incident never occurred, which the witness denied.
The Ninth Accused further questioned the witness regarding alleged lectures and activities, asking whether the Ninth Accused had ever instructed participants to bomb places of worship or taught the killing of innocent persons, which the witness denied. He also denied any weapons or military training or any conspiracy with the Ninth Accused relating to terrorist activities.
The Ninth Accused further cross examined the witness about communal incidents, and the witness acknowledged awareness of a case relating to the destruction of a Buddhist statue in Mawanella, but stated he was not aware of cases relating to mosque destruction in Digana or injustices in Gingthota. It was then suggested that such incidents had motivated the witness to work for and support the Muslim community, which the witness agreed.
The Fourteenth Accused cross-examined the witness regarding alleged conflicts affecting the Muslim community. The witness stated that such conflicts existed. It was suggested that there was a perception among some people that Muslims are viewed as terrorists or extremists, which the witness accepted. He also acknowledged awareness of global conflicts involving Nabi and Maulavis. Thereafter, the cross-examination of the Fourteenth Accused was concluded.
The Nineteenth Accused then cross-examined the witness and asked whether he had seen the accused in “Basan lectures” or conducting such lectures. The witness answered in the negative. The Twentieth Accused thereafter put similar questions, and the witness maintained the same position.
In re-examination, it was clarified that “Abu Kalhad” was the alias used for the witness, and “Abu Shila” referred to the Third Accused, Milhan, as revealed during CID investigations.
Thereafter, the evidence of the witness was concluded and he was released. The Court then Ordered to the victim protection authority to provide any protection requested by the witness.
The matter was then adjourned and will be resumed on 5th of June 2026 for further trial.
