Verdict on Easter attack case set for tomorrow

The Colombo Special Trial-at-Bar is scheduled to deliver its verdict tomorrow in the main case filed over the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.

The verdict will be delivered by a three-member bench comprising Judges Navaratne Marasinghe, Sujeewa Nissanka and Ramanathan Kannan.

The Attorney General has filed charges against 24 defendants, including Naufar Maulana, under 23,270 counts relating to conspiracy, aiding and abetting the eight suicide bombers, including Zahran Hashim.

During the trial, the court accepted 10 confessions made by the accused as evidence. A total of 2,076 items were also marked as court exhibits, including concealed explosives, sharp weapons and firearms.

The Easter Sunday attacks claimed the lives of 269 people, including nearly 40 foreign tourists and 35 children, while another 577 people were injured.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General's Department recently informed court that statements are expected from around 10 Opposition Members of Parliament who made statements in Parliament regarding the alleged involvement of former State Intelligence Service Director, Major General Suresh Sallay, in the Easter Sunday attacks.

The department told court that it believes the MPs made those statements based on credible information.