214th Day of the Main Easter Attack Trial – HC (TAB) 2972/21
Date: 24th June 2026|
Venue: Special Permanent Three-Judge High Court (Trial-at-Bar), 2nd Floor, MCC Building, Adhikarana Mawatha, Colombo 12.
On the date of hearing, the following witnesses and productions were present before court: PW-1367, PW-1373, PW-1382, PW-1370, PW-1-71, PW-2264, PW-1384, PW-2452, and PW-2252. However at the beginning PW-2264 was temporarily released.
The 9th accused participated in the first-year final examination of the LLB Degree conducted by the Open University. Accordingly, Ravindu Yasas (AAL) appeared on behalf of the 9th, 12th, and 13th accused.
PW-1384 – Kapila Chandragith Bandara, a Consultant Eye Surgeon attached to the National Hospital of Colombo, testified regarding the treatment provided to an injured patient. The witness was shown P-875 and P-876. The National Eye Hospital Colombo medical file bearing No. KB/18/1768 was marked as P-890. According to the medical records, the patient had sustained burn injuries and multiple lead particles inside the eye as a result of an explosion, with the cause recorded as a gas tank explosion. The witness was shown P-878, a photograph of the injured person, and identified the individual depicted as the patient who had received treatment from him. No cross-examination was conducted, and the evidence-in-chief was concluded.
Thereafter, PW-1382 – Kaushalya Gayamani, an Occupational Therapist attached to the Plastic Surgery Unit of the National Hospital of Colombo, testified that she had provided rehabilitation treatment to the injured patient following plastic surgery. She stated that the patient had undergone a skin graft procedure and had lost fingers due to blast injuries. The witness identified the patient in P-876 and was shown the clinic records relating to the patient’s treatment. The clear bag containing the clinic book was marked as P-891, the Plastic Surgery Clinic Book was marked as P-892, and the prescription issued by the Plastic Surgery Unit was marked as P-893. The witness also identified the patient appearing in P-878 (photograph of the brother of Saharan Hasheem). No cross-examination was conducted, and the evidence-in-chief was concluded.
Thereafter, PW-1370 – J. A. D Nimal Jayakody testified that he is engaged in construction work and possesses a licence to purchase explosives for stone-breaking purposes. He identified P-882 and P-884. During his testimony, it emerged that water gel and other explosive materials originally purchased for quarrying activities had ultimately been used in the manufacture of the bomb involved in the Easter Sunday attack. The witness stated that although he had no authority to sell such explosives, he had sold and exchanged them with a person named Wences Laous, who is now deceased. The production bearing No. 508/19 containing “Seva Nool” was produced before court. The cover containing the “Seva Nool” was marked as P-894, while the portions of “Seva Nool” were marked as P-895.
During cross-examination by the 5th accused, the witness was questioned as to whether he could positively identify P-883, P-884, and P-885 as the same water gel supplied by him. He stated that he could not do so. He explained an example that if he had supplied only 150 water gels to the purchaser, whereas the remaining 50 water gels in the packet would likely have been sold separately by the seller to another person. Accordingly, he was unable to confirm that the productions marked P-883 to P-885 were the exact items supplied by him. No re-examination was conducted.
Thereafter, PW-1371 – Isadeen Mohamedu testified that he had supplied water gel to Haris Khan, the brother-in-law of Yeheiya. The witness stated that Haris Khan requested water gel, Seva nool, and detonators. As he did not have sufficient stock, he obtained those materials from Wences Laous (also known as Giriulla Mama), adding a profit margin before selling them. According to the witness, Haris Khan informed him that the explosives were required to be transported to the Maldives for fishing purposes. The witness identified Haris Khan in court as the 16th accused.
During cross-examination by the 11th accused, the witness confirmed that he owned a quarry and possessed a licence to purchase explosives but admitted that he had no authority to sell explosives. He acknowledged that selling explosives without a licence was illegal and stated that although he knew it was unlawful, he had not given the matter much consideration at the time. During cross-examination by the 16th accused, it was suggested that his testimony was false and that, while in CID custody following his arrest, he had been promised his release if he implicated the 16th accused. The witness denied both suggestions and maintained that no such promise had been made. It was further suggested that the 16th accused had never purchased explosives from him, which the witness firmly denied. No re-examination was conducted.
Thereafter, PW-1367 – Walanegodage Ranaveera, the proprietor of Anura Traders, testified that he holds a licence to sell explosives and supplies them only to persons holding valid licences to purchase such materials. The licence and sales records relating to the supply of explosives by Anura Traders to Wences Laous was marked as P-896. No cross-examination was conducted.
Thereafter, PW-1373 – Vijitha Jayasiri testified that he operates a quarry and possesses a licence relating to quarry activities. He stated that he purchased explosives from Anura Traders and that Wences Laous had requested water gel and other explosive materials from him, which he subsequently supplied or shared with Wences Laous. No cross-examination was conducted.
Thereafter, PW-2252 – Dinushka Bandara Rupasinghe, the Manager of the Keells Gorakana Branch, Panadura, testified that he was serving in that capacity at the branch during 2019. He was shown a production containing a Keells bill dated 10 April 2019 at 8.25 p.m., which was marked as P-897-A. The letter cover containing the bill was marked as P-897-B, the box containing the cover was marked as P-897-C, and the outer large cover in which the box had been placed was marked as P-897-D. No cross-examination was conducted.
At the conclusion of the proceedings, PW-835 was summoned to appear on 26 June 2026. Further, PW-840 and PW-839 were summoned to appear on 30 June 2026. The proceedings were thereafter concluded, and the trial was adjourned to continue on 25th of June 2026 at 10.00 a.m
