The prosecution has concluded presenting its evidence in the case against 24 accused, including Naufer Maulavi, in connection with the Easter Sunday terror attacks.
The prosecution’s final evidence was presented on August 11, bringing an end to a case that has been heard for 245 days over nearly five years.
The case is being heard before the Colombo Permanent Three-Judge High Court, comprising High Court Judge Navaratne Marasinghe as President, along with Judges Sujeewa Nissanka and Ramanathan Kannan.
Following the conclusion of the prosecution’s case, the court will hear evidence from the defence. A date for the verdict will then be fixed after both sides submit their written submissions.
A total of 31 cases have been filed in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks, with five being heard before three-judge High Courts. Verdicts have already been delivered in three of those cases.
The main case against the 24 accused is being heard before the Colombo Permanent Three-Judge High Court, while another case involving six accused over an alleged terrorist training camp and explosives storage facility in Puttalam is being heard before the Puttalam Three-Judge High Court.
The main case was initially heard once a month before being increased to two or three days a week. Since last year, proceedings have been conducted daily in an effort to expedite the trial.
The court has also heard evidence relating to confessions allegedly made by the accused, with the fact-finding inquiry determining that several such confessions were made voluntarily. A member of Zahran Hashim’s suicide squad also turned state witness during the trial and provided evidence.
The case is now at a critical stage following the conclusion of the prosecution’s evidence, with efforts to expedite proceedings having significantly shortened the expected duration of the trial.
A team comprising Senior Additional Solicitor General Haripriya Jayasundara, Additional Solicitor General Sudarshana de Silva, and Attorneys Sajiththa Bandara, Shakthi Jagodaarachchi and Akila Dalpadadu is leading the prosecution.
Source: Dinamina
