The Colombo High Court has directed the Attorney General to reconvene the case against former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara on January 26.
According to the High Court Registrar, although the matter was taken up before a three-judge bench, a new bench has not yet been appointed. Therefore, the case will be recalled on January 26 once the new panel of judges is named.
Previously, a three-judge bench of the Colombo High Court acquitted and released both Fernando and Jayasundara without calling defence evidence, ruling that they could not be held criminally liable for failing to prevent the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks despite prior intelligence warnings.
However, the Supreme Court, upon considering an appeal filed by the Attorney General, set aside the acquittal and ordered the same High Court bench to resume proceedings, take defence evidence, and deliver a new judgment.
