The Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar today (22) found 15 of the 24 defendants guilty in the long-awaited case over the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.
The verdict was delivered in the case filed against 24 defendants, including Naufer Mawlawi, on more than 23,270 charges relating to conspiracy, aiding and abetting, collecting arms and ammunition, and attempted murder under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Meanwhile, the remaining nine defendants were acquitted and ordered to be released.
The case concerns alleged links between the accused and the extremist group responsible for the Easter Sunday attacks, which took place on April 21, 2019.
Coordinated suicide bombings targeted three churches and three hotels, killing more than 350 people, including foreign nationals, while more than 500 others were injured.
A total of 2,309 witnesses testified for the prosecution during the trial. Evidence recording for both the prosecution and defence concluded on August 24, 2026, following daily hearings.
The Attorney General had filed the indictments against the 24 accused following several investigations, including a Presidential Commission of Inquiry, a Parliamentary Select Committee inquiry and police investigations.
Special security measures were also implemented at the Aluthkade Courts Complex today as the defendants were produced before court for the delivery of the verdict. Several special police teams were deployed to strengthen security around the court premises.
