Easter Sunday attacks case verdict set for September 22, 2026

The Colombo Special Trial-at-Bar today (August 24) fixed September 22, 2026 to deliver its verdict in the case against 24 defendants, including Naufer Maulavi, over the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.

The defence case concluded at around 6:00 PM today, and the court ordered both the prosecution and defence to submit their written submissions on September 8.

The case was taken up before a three-judge bench comprising Presiding High Court Judge Navaratne Marasinghe and High Court Judges Sujeewa Nissanka and Ramanathan Kannan.

The prosecution concluded presenting its evidence on the afternoon of August 13, 2026, while the defendants began presenting their defence on August 17.

The Attorney General has filed the case under 23,270 charges, including conspiracy in connection with the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.

During the trial, a large amount of evidence, including confessions, was presented before the court, while 2,076 productions were marked.

The productions include hidden bombs, explosives, swords, firearms and chemicals used in the manufacture of bombs.

A large number of Government Analyst reports, DNA reports, medical reports and post-mortem examination reports were also presented as evidence during the trial.

The coordinated suicide bombings took place on April 21, 2019, targeting several locations, including churches across Sri Lanka and luxury hotels in Colombo.

At least 269 people were killed in the attacks, which were carried out by a group of Islamic extremists led by Zahran Hashim.