Date: 07th August 2026
Case No: HC (TAB) 2972/21
Court: Special Permanent Three-Judge High Court (Trial-at-Bar)
Venue: Special Permanent Three-Judge High Court (Trial-at-Bar), 2nd Floor, MCC Building, Adhikarana Mawatha, Colombo 12.
The case was taken up before the Trial-at-Bar with all accused present, except the 17th accused, who had passed away. The 1st, 2nd, 7th, 8th, 10th, 15th, 17th, 18th, and 19th accused were represented by Mr. Kaneel Maddumage, AAL. The 12th and 13th accused were represented by Mr. Ravindu Yasas, AAL. The 20th to 25th accused were represented by Mr. Mayuran Mahalingam AAL under the instructions of Mr. Sanjeewa Ruwanpathirana, AAL. The 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 9th, 11th, 14th, and 16th accused appeared in person.
On this day, the 9th accused was not produced before Court as he had been admitted to hospital due to fever.
The matter had been adjourned on the previous day at approximately 10.40 a.m. However, thereafter, information was received from the Magazine Prison regarding a riot and an ensuing unrest within the prison. Accordingly, the 12 accused persons who were being held at the Magazine Prison were not returned there due to security concerns and were instead transferred to Colombo Prison.
Due to this unexpected situation, the accused persons were reportedly in a fatigued and distressed condition, as they had not been provided with adequate clothing to change or necessary sanitary items. In view of these circumstances, the Court did not proceed with the trial on this day.
It was further revealed that the personal belongings, notes, and copies of court proceedings belonging to the 1st, 4th, and 7th accused, who had been detained at the Magazine Prison, had been destroyed or lost during the unrest. The Court therefore directed that copies of the relevant proceedings be provided to them again upon confirmation of the documents required by each accused.
The trial was accordingly postponed and fixed to resume on 10th August 2026 at 9.30 a.m.
