The Colombo Permanent Trial-at-Bar has fixed September 22 to pronounce the verdict in the case against 25 accused persons charged with conspiring to carry out the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks and aiding and abetting the attacks.

The decision was announced by the three-member High Court bench hearing the case.

The Attorney General had filed 23,270 charges against the 25 accused, including allegations of conspiracy, aiding and abetting, collecting arms and ammunition and attempted murder under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. 

The case includes allegations against several individuals over their links to the extremist group responsible for the Easter Sunday attacks. Among those named as accused is Naufer Moulavi. 

The Easter Sunday attacks took place on April 21, 2019, when coordinated suicide bombings targeted churches and hotels in several parts of Sri Lanka. The attacks killed more than 270 people, including foreign nationals, and injured hundreds more. 

Following the attacks, several investigations were launched, including a Presidential Commission of Inquiry and a Parliamentary Select Committee inquiry. The Attorney General subsequently filed indictments against 25 suspects and sought the appointment of a Trial-at-Bar to hear the case. 

The trial was later taken up before a three-member Colombo High Court bench, with proceedings continuing over the allegations against the accused. 

The verdict in the case against the 25 accused is now scheduled to be delivered on September 22.