Extra security deployed at Colombo court ahead of Easter Sunday attacks verdict

Police have deployed extra security at the Hulftsdorp Courts Complex in Colombo ahead of the verdict in the main case relating to the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, which is due to be delivered on Tuesday.

Several special police teams have been assigned to the court premises as part of the security arrangements.

The case was filed against 24 defendants, including Naufar Maulavi, on more than 23,270 charges, including allegations of conspiring to carry out the attacks and aiding and abetting those responsible.

The verdict is due to be delivered by a three-judge Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar comprising Judges Navaratne Marasinghe, Ramanathan Kannan and Sujeewa Nissanka.

A total of 2,309 prosecution witnesses testified during the trial. Evidence from both the prosecution and the defence concluded on 24 August, after which the court fixed 22 September for the verdict.

The Attorney General brought the case under the Prevention of Terrorism Act over allegations linked to the Easter Sunday suicide bombings of churches and hotels in 2019.