15 convicted, nine acquitted in landmark verdict in 2019 Easter Sunday Attacks trial

A total of 15 of the 24 accused standing trial over the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks have been found guilty by the Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar.

The verdict in the long-running case against Naufer Mawlawi and 23 co-defendants is being delivered today (22) by the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar.

The remaining nine accused have been acquitted and ordered to be released, according to an Ada Derana reporter at the court.

The sentences for the 15 accused found guilty are also scheduled to be announced later today.

The case was filed against the 24 accused over more than 23,270 charges, including conspiracy, aiding and abetting, collecting arms and ammunition, and attempted murder under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

The accused were also facing allegations concerning their links to the extremist group responsible for the Easter Sunday attacks.

The attacks took place on April 21, 2019, when coordinated suicide bombings targeted three churches and three hotels in several parts of Sri Lanka.

More than 350 people were killed in the attacks, including foreign nationals, while over 500 others sustained injuries.

Following the attacks, several investigations were conducted, including a Presidential Commission of Inquiry, a Parliamentary Select Committee inquiry and multiple police investigations.

The Attorney General subsequently filed indictments against 24 suspects and sought the appointment of a Trial-at-Bar to hear the case. A total of 2,309 prosecution witnesses testified during the trial.

The recording of evidence for both the prosecution and defence concluded on August 24, 2026, following daily hearings.

The Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar subsequently fixed today, for the delivery of the verdict.

Meanwhile, special security measures were deployed at the Hulftsdorp Court Complex this morning ahead of the judgment.

Several special police teams were reportedly assigned to strengthen security at the court premises as the defendants were brought before the court for the verdict.