Sri Lanka Easter Attacks Verdict Due Tomorrow

Sri Lanka’s Colombo Special Trial-at-Bar is scheduled to deliver its verdict on September 22 in the main case over the April 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks. The 24 defendants, including Naufer Maulavi, face more than 23,270 charges alleging conspiracy, aiding and abetting the eight suicide bombers led by Zahran Hashim. The three-judge bench heard testimony from 2,309 prosecution witnesses, accepted 10 confessions as evidence and marked more than 2,000 exhibits, including explosives, weapons and bomb-making materials. The attacks targeted churches, hotels and a restaurant, killing roughly 270 people—including foreign tourists and children—and injuring 577 others. The Attorney General’s Department has also indicated that statements may be obtained from about 10 opposition lawmakers regarding parliamentary allegations about possible involvement by former State Intelligence Service Director Major General Suresh Sallay.