Easter Sunday attacks trial enters a decisive phase as 23 accused prepare dock statements after the prosecution closes its evidence.
The Easter Sunday attacks trial enters a critical new phase today, August 17, as the defence begins presenting its case following the conclusion of the prosecution evidence.
The proceedings concern the main criminal case arising from the April 21, 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks. The case was originally filed against 25 accused, although 24 are currently before court.
The Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar now comprises High Court Judges Navaratne Marasinghe, who presides over the bench, Sujeewa Nissanka and Ramanathan Kannan. The prosecution concluded its case on August 13 and the bench fixed August 17 for the defence stage to begin.
Easter Sunday Attacks Trial Moves to Defence
After considering the prosecution case, the court directed the accused to state how they intended to present their defence.
An accused person may choose to give sworn evidence from the witness box and face cross-examination, make an unsworn statement from the dock, call defence witnesses, or remain silent.
According to reports on the latest proceedings, 23 of the 24 accused currently before court have indicated that they intend to make statements from the dock. The sixth accused, Mohamed Anwar Mohamed Riskaan, who is representing himself, has opted to remain silent.
A statement from the dock differs from sworn testimony because the accused does not enter the witness box for ordinary prosecution cross-examination.
However, the court retains powers under Sri Lanka’s evidence law to question parties or witnesses where clarification is necessary.
The defence is also expected to identify any additional witnesses it intends to call as proceedings continue.
Prosecution Case Ends After Lengthy Evidence Hearing
The prosecution evidence hearing began on October 10, 2023 and continued across a lengthy series of hearings before finally closing this month.
Reports describe the prosecution phase as extending across nearly 250 hearing days.
The Attorney General’s Department prosecution team includes Senior Additional Solicitor General Haripriya Jayasundara, PC, Additional Solicitor General Sudarshana de Silva, PC, and State Counsel appearing in the case.
During the prosecution case, a person described in court reporting as having been associated with Zahran Hashim’s group became a State witness.
That witness gave evidence concerning preparations linked to the attacks, relationships within the network and matters involving the use of funds.
The case has undergone several procedural developments since charges were first brought. Twenty-four accused were formally indicted before the Trial-at-Bar in 2021, while the broader indictment has been reported as containing thousands of charges connected to conspiracy, aiding and abetting and the Easter Sunday attacks.
Dock Statements Could Shape the Final Stage
The defence phase now represents a major turning point in the Easter Sunday attacks trial.
The statements made by the accused, together with any evidence called by the defence, will form part of the material the three-judge bench ultimately considers before reaching its decision.
The case remains one of the most consequential criminal proceedings arising from the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.
Victims, their families, religious leaders and the wider public have closely followed the long-running search for accountability.
However, the opening of the defence case does not amount to a finding of guilt.
The accused remain entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until the Trial-at-Bar reaches its final determination.
With the prosecution case now closed, attention shifts to what the 23 accused will tell the court from the dock, what additional defence evidence may emerge, and how that material will affect the final outcome of one of Sri Lanka’s most closely watched trials.
