The main Easter Sunday terror attacks trial against 24 accused, including Naufer Moulavi, is nearing its conclusion, with the prosecution having completed presenting its evidence before the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar.
The prosecution concluded its final evidence last night (11), bringing to an end a case that has been heard for nearly five years. The prosecution evidence has been heard for approximately 245 days.
The case is being heard before a three-member High Court bench comprising High Court Judge Navaratne Marasinghe as the presiding judge, along with High Court Judges Sujeewa Nishanka and Ramanathan Kannan.
Following the conclusion of the prosecution case, the defence evidence will be heard. The two parties will then submit their written submissions, after which a date will be fixed for the judgment.
A total of 31 cases have been filed in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks, with five being heard before Trial-at-Bar courts. Judgments have already been delivered in three of those cases, with the convicted persons receiving sentences.
In addition, 11 accused were sentenced in a case heard before the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Trial-at-Bar relating to damage caused to seven Buddha statues and a Devalaya statue in the Mawanella area.
Another case involving six accused over the alleged operation of a terrorist training camp and an explosives storage facility in the Laktoswatta area of Puttalam is also being heard before the Colombo High Court.
Measures taken to expedite the proceedings have brought the main Easter Sunday case to a decisive stage, despite the fact that it could otherwise have taken 10 years or more under the usual judicial process.
