Cases and events
Court cases, inquiries and events
Cases and inquiries are listed as the cited sources report them. A case without a verdict is an allegation, and each entry says where it stood at its last dated report.
PeopleIn custodyOn bailConvictedOrganisationsCases and eventsEaster attacksThe Rajapaksa familyPresidents since 2019Politicians and investigatorsGalagoda Aththe GnanasaraThe LTTE war, 1983 to 2009The Treasury bond casesThe 2022 economic crisisDisappearances and wartime killingsWar accountability at the UNCommunal violence and state force, 2013 to 2019Attacks on journalists and media, 2009 to 2026Disasters, 2004 to 2025Colombo Metro bus service, 2025 to 2026
Cases and events (146)
- 2002 Ceasefire Agreement
- Abduction and disappearance of Keith Noyahr
- News 1st reported on 24 August 2025 that the CID had sent its file on the abduction and disappearance of the journalist to the Attorney General
- Abduction of Poddala Jayantha, 1 June 2009
- CPJ reported that no arrests had been made by late 2009
- Aluthgama violence, June 2014
- Anti-Muslim attacks after the Easter bombings, May 2019
- Anti-Muslim violence in Kandy district, March 2018
- Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, 1991
- Athurugiriya Metro bus collision, 8 October 2026
- Police said on 9 October 2026 that the private bus had been temporarily banned from operating and that they were reporting the findings to the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court; further investigations were under way
- Attack on Katunayake air base and Bandaranaike airport, 2001
- Attack on protesters at Galle Face, 9 May 2022
- Attack on Sirasa TV, 6 January 2009
- Attack on Upali Tennakoon, 23 January 2009
- Attacks on Muslim businesses in Ampara, February 2018
- Avant-Garde Bribery Commission case, Colombo Magistrate’s Court
- Eight suspects granted bail on 30 September 2016; on 12 September 2019 the Court of Appeal quashed the proceedings for want of jurisdiction and directed that the accused be discharged
- Avant-Garde floating armoury case
- Defendants acquitted on 21 May 2021
- Badulla election campaign incident, November 2024
- Arrest on 20 November 2024 over alleged election law violations; no verdict reported
- Baseline Road accident case
- Warrant recalled 28 November 2024; no verdict reported
- Batticaloa killings case, 2008
- Three suspects in remand until 27 October 2026; no verdict reported
- Black July, 1983
- Bombing at the Temple of the Tooth, Kandy, 1998
- Bribery commission inquiry into six ministers’ assets
- Complainant’s statement recorded 30 December 2025; no finding reported
- Carrom board case, verdict May 2025
- Central Bank bombing, Colombo, 1996
- Central Bank bond transactions case
- Indictments served on eight accused on 19 July 2019; proceedings continuing as of August 2026, according to the Public Security Minister
- Chemmani mass grave, Jaffna
- The sixth phase of excavation began on 27 April 2026 under the Jaffna Magistrate and was ongoing as reported 16 June 2026; identities, cause and timing of the deaths were unclear
- CID inquiry into Perpetual Treasuries payment claim, 2018
- Questioned for nearly six hours on 11 June 2018; no charge read
- Contempt application against Balangoda Kassapa Thero, Chavakachcheri, 2026
- Dismissed by the Chavakachcheri Magistrate’s Court, as reported 5 June 2026; M.A. Sumanthiran said the ruling would be challenged before the Jaffna High Court
- Contempt application over unpaid Supreme Court payments, October 2026
- Filed by Transparency International Sri Lanka on 13 October 2026; no hearing date reported
- Contempt complaint over Anuradhapura rally speech
- Police forwarded their findings for legal action, as reported 9 October 2026; no proceedings reported
- Contempt of court conviction, August 2018
- Appeal rejected October 2018; pardoned May 2019; pardon ruled invalid September 2026 and sentence reinstated 5 October 2026
- Contempt of court conviction, January 2021
- Contempt referral over protest statements, 2026
- Before a three-judge bench; hearings fixed for 15 and 23 October 2026; no ruling reported
- Conviction for insulting Islam, January 2025
- Bailed pending appeal in February 2025; High Court upheld the sentence; a further appeal to the Supreme Court is pending
- Conviction over remarks on Islam, March 2024
- Released on bail pending appeal, July 2024
- Court of Appeal challenge to Archchuna’s seat
- Arguments postponed to 16 December 2026; no ruling reported
- CPC flood relief funds case
- Fixed for trial on 27 January 2026
- CPC fuel tenders case
- Indictments served 23 March 2026
- CWE employees corruption case
- Discharge set aside by the Court of Appeal, 4 August 2026; trial to resume
- Cyclone Ditwah, November 2025
- The Disaster Management Centre reported 481 confirmed deaths and 345 missing on 4 December 2025; Daily Mirror, cited by ANI, reported 627 deaths and 190 missing on 7 December 2025. Later figures have not been checked
- Dematagoda abduction case
- Convicted June 2024; appeal hearing deferred to 23 September 2026, outcome not reported as of August 2026
- Diana Gamage immigration case
- Trial began 30 October 2025; no verdict reported
- Diplomatic passport case
- To be called again on 26 October 2026
- Disappearance of Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganandhan, 2011
- Inquiry continuing as of September 2026
- Disappearance of the Eastern University vice-chancellor, 2006
- Disaster Management Ministry vehicle case
- Suspended sentence, August 2024; Supreme Court ordered payment of Rs. 6.6 million, September 2026
- Easter attacks trial verdict, 22 September 2026
- 15 men convicted, 9 acquitted; one accused died in custody
- Easter Sunday attacks, 21 April 2019
- Eknaligoda abduction trial, Colombo Permanent Trial-at-Bar
- A new three-judge bench took up the trial on 4 May 2026. On 24 July 2026 it allowed the prosecution to recall the fourth witness; on 20 August 2026 the defence said the accused had petitioned the Supreme Court against that decision, and the bench said it would announce its decision on 4 September. Ada Derana reported on 16 October 2026 that Suresh Sallay was produced before the court to give evidence. No verdict reported
- Elephant calf “Sakura” case, Colombo High Court
- Indictment filed July 2019; the court acquitted Thilina Gamage on 16 December 2021 and ordered the other three defendants to present their defence
- End of the war, May 2009
- Evidence fabrication case against CID officers, 2020
- Bail granted June 2021; the Court of Appeal said the allegations appeared to be falsified
- External debt suspension, 12 April 2022
- Fall of Kilinochchi, January 2009
- Foot march for Gnanasara’s release, October 2026
- Reached the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on the evening of 15 October 2026, where monks met the Presidential Secretary. On 16 October 2026 police reported obtaining a Fort Magistrate’s Court order prohibiting protests in front of the Presidential Secretariat, citing its high-security zone status, while the monks remained on the road. By 17 October 2026 the monks had moved to Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, where they said they would stay until Gnanasara is released; the satyagraha entered its third day on 18 October 2026
- Forcible entry to Temple Trees case, 2022
- Balangoda Kassapa Thero was arrested by the CID on 24 August 2022 and released on bail on 26 August 2022; the case was fixed for 12 October 2022. No later report found
- Fort police obstruction case
- Warrant issued 24 July 2026; he appeared through a lawyer on 27 July 2026; no verdict reported
- Further bribery case against Sarana Gunawardena
- Court of Appeal issued an interim injunction on 14 October 2026 preventing further steps in the case; no verdict reported
- General election, November 2024
- Gintota violence, November 2017
- Gold-plated T-56 firearm case
- Indictments served 10 September 2026
- Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation letter, July 2022
- The Speaker’s office was verifying the letter before a formal announcement the next day, as reported 15 July 2022
- Government ends the ceasefire, January 2008
- Gowers Corporate Services money laundering case
- All accused acquitted on 2 November 2023
- Greek bonds case
- Charges withdrawn on conditions in December 2025; new indictment in May 2026
- IMF Extended Fund Facility approved, 20 March 2023
- Immunoglobulin procurement case
- Indictments served in June 2025; about 350 witnesses listed
- Indian Ocean earthquake, 26 December 2004
- Indian Ocean tsunami in Sri Lanka, 26 December 2004
- Indo-Sri Lanka Accord, 1987
- Intimidation conviction, June 2018
- Homagama Magistrate's Court
- Israel farm jobs inquiry
- Suspect bailed 15 October 2025; no charge proven
- Jerome Fernando religious remarks case
- Case before the court as of March 2025; no verdict reported
- Kahawatte election rally shooting case
- Appeal against the acquittals before the Supreme Court; accused ordered to appear on 21 October 2026
- Kandy Metro bus test run, 15 October 2026
- Killing of 17 Action Contre La Faim workers, Muttur, 4 August 2006
- Human Rights Watch reported on 1 August 2019 that there was no progress in prosecuting the killings
- Killing of businessman “Club Wasantha”, Athurugiriya, July 2024
- Police said in early September 2024 that 18 people had been arrested and that foreign involvement was still being investigated. No verdict found
- Killing of five students in Trincomalee, 2006
- A Trincomalee magistrate discharged 13 security personnel on 3 July 2019, saying there was insufficient evidence; the Attorney General’s office said a prosecutor would seek a fresh trial, as reported 13 July 2019
- Killing of Iron Ranasinghe (“SF Loku”)
- A suspect was arrested by the CID on 7 October 2026 and remanded until the 26th; travel bans on four others ordered on 13 October 2026; no one charged as reported
- Killing of Lasantha Wickrematunge, January 2009
- The Attorney General’s Department said in February 2025 that three people held in connection with the case were released for insufficient evidence and that the releases do not prevent charges if new evidence emerges; the Ministry of Public Security said in August 2025 that the CID had resumed its investigation; no charges reported
- Kiribathgoda state land case
- Six accused served with indictments, 15 July 2026
- Kirinda Fisheries Harbour sand removal case
- Indictments filed 11 August 2026
- Krrish deal case
- High Court hearing fixed for 16 November 2026; a separate bribery commission case over an alleged Rs. 70 million bribe had him in remand until 23 October 2026, when the Magistrate said the order on his bail application would be announced; no verdict reported
- Lanka Fertilizer warehouse contract case
- Trial began 17 June 2026; further evidence fixed for 3 November 2026
- Luxury vehicle case, Mirihana
- Suspects bailed in early December 2024; no verdict reported
- Malwana property case
- Mannar mass grave, found 2018
- Meeting at the Central Bank governor’s office, February 2015
- Described only in an opinion piece; the writer does not name a source
- Meetotamulla extortion case
- Conviction and suspended sentence stand; appeal withdrawn 11 September 2025
- Metro bus launch on five more routes, 29 September 2026
- Middeniya "Ice" chemicals case
- Police told the court on 25 February 2026 that investigations were complete and that laboratory reports confirmed 15 kg 19 g of Ice; no verdict reported
- Middeniya shooting, 18 February 2025
- Suspects arrested, including a suspected gunman who police said confessed; a former SLPP local government candidate was reported to have admitted supplying the firearms; no verdict reported
- MiG aircraft procurement inquiry
- Suspect bailed 3 April 2020; named among the major cases in the list tabled in Parliament in October 2026; no verdict reported
- Mihin Lanka aircraft lease case
- Indictment filed 16 March 2026; no verdict reported
- Money laundering case against Rambukwella and family
- Trial fixed for 27 April 2026; no verdict reported
- Murder of Nadarajah Raviraj
- Navy recruitment corruption case
- Indictments served 20 August 2026; both accused bailed; pre-trial conference ordered for 13 October 2026; no verdict reported
- Negombo 2006 protest assault and trespass case
- Accused remanded 29 August 2025 and bailed by 8 September 2025; no verdict reported
- Panagoda road accident, 7 October 2026
- Suspect bailed 8 October 2026
- Periyavilan land dispute firearm case
- Suspect bailed, as reported on 29 April 2026; no verdict reported
- Petitions over prison attire, October 2026
- On 14 October 2026 the Court of Appeal President recused himself and appointed a new three-judge bench (Justices Amal Ranaraja, Mahen Gopallawa and Priyantha Fernando); on 15 October 2026 that bench ordered the petitions to be taken up for consideration on 22 October 2026. The Prisons Department spokesperson said on 14 October 2026 that a committee reviewing prison attire regulations for imprisoned religious leaders was expected to report this week or next
- Phosphate export bribery inquiry
- Suspect remanded until 23 October 2026; no charge proven
- Polgolla auditorium chairs case
- Suspects bailed 4 September 2026
- Presidential Commission of Inquiry into coal procurement
- Coal supplies for the Norochcholai power plant since 2009
- Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Central Bank bond issuance
- Final report of 1,257 pages handed to President Maithripala Sirisena on 30 December 2017 and passed to the Attorney General; no verdict in any resulting case read
- Presidential election, 21 September 2024
- Presidential election, November 2019
- Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Act, September 2025
- Protesters storm the President’s official residence, 2022
- Rajagiriya motor accident case
- Supreme Court directed the trial to proceed, May 2025
- Rambewa traffic police case
- Suspect bailed 29 January 2025; no verdict reported
- Ratmalana land money laundering case
- Bail granted January 2025; no verdict reported
- Resignations of Muslim ministers and two governors, 3 June 2019
- Rohitha Bogollagama London investment exhibition case
- Accused remanded until the conclusion of the matter on 7 October 2026; ordered on 13 October 2026 to be recalled on 29 October; no verdict reported
- Sajin Vass illegal assets case
- Suspect bailed 31 March 2026; no verdict reported
- Sapugaskanda road accident, 11 December 2025
- Suspect bailed 12 December 2025
- Sathosa employees political activity case
- Called on 14 October 2026 and adjourned to the 28th, a month the article does not name; no evidence recorded that day; no verdict reported
- School admissions complaint to the Bribery Commission, 2018
- Complaint filed by Transparency International Sri Lanka; he said his actions were above board; no outcome read
- Seed maize distribution case
- Indictment served 2 July 2026
- Share sale breach of trust case
- Acquitted on 29 September 2026
- Shooting at Rathupaswala, Weliweriya, August 2013
- The Gampaha High Court Trial-at-Bar ordered the four accused acquitted and released on 17 May 2024; Ada Derana gave no reasons and reported no appeal
- Sil cloth distribution case
- High Court conviction September 2017; acquitted by Court of Appeal November 2020
- SLFP injunction case against Dayasiri Jayasekara, 2024
- Injunction issued 8 January 2024 and extended on 22 January 2024; later outcome not read
- SriLankan Airlines Airbus purchase inquiry
- Under investigation by the bribery commission and the CID; on 14 October 2026 the CID told the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court its money laundering investigation was complete and indictments would be filed in a higher court; no verdict reported
- State funds inquiry into 2023 UK visit
- Under investigation by the CID; to be called again on 11 November 2026 for the Attorney General’s advice
- Suicide bombing at Chandrika Kumaratunga’s rally, December 1999
- Supreme Court judgment, 12 January 2023
- Supreme Court, seven-member bench
- Supreme Court ruling on Indian Credit Line medicine purchase, March 2026
- Supreme Court, three-judge bench
- Supreme Court ruling on the economic crisis, November 2023
- Supreme Court, five-judge bench, 4 to 1
- The Sri Lankan civil war, 1983 to 2009
- Thirunelvely ambush, 23 July 1983
- Tourism Promotion Bureau funds inquiry
- On 14 October 2026 the Colombo Fort Magistrate ordered the suspect’s arrest and warrants in Sinhala and English to support Interpol Red Notices; on 18 October 2026 the Public Security Minister said the case files had been sent to the Attorney General’s Department; no verdict reported
- Treasury bond case, 27 February 2015 auction
- On 13 October 2021 the Attorney General asked the court to proceed without two absent accused; the next hearing was set for 3 December 2021
- Treasury bond case, Supreme Court ruling, June 2026
- Trial to proceed; no hearing dates given in the reports; no verdict reported
- Trial of security chiefs, verdict 31 July 2026
- Two former officials convicted of failing to act on warnings and sentenced to death
- Trincomalee Buddha statue case, November 2025
- Suspects remanded from January 2026; the Trincomalee High Court ordered ten released on bail on 11 February 2026. No verdict or later hearing found
- UN Human Rights Council resolution on Sri Lanka, October 2015
- UN Human Rights Council resolution on Sri Lanka, October 2025
- UN Panel of Experts report, 25 April 2011
- Unlawful assets case, Colombo High Court
- Recalled for further hearing on 22 September 2026, with witnesses summoned; no verdict reported
- Uva Provincial Council cheque case
- Pre-trial conference fixed for 30 April 2026; no verdict reported
- VFS Global visa deal contempt of court case
- Remanded September 2024; he apologised in July 2025 and was sentenced to two years in prison, as reported on 23 September 2025
- W.M. Mendis VAT case
- Three people sentenced to six months in prison, October 2024
- Wanathawilluwa explosives case
- Two defendants pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment each on 7 October 2026; four others had already been sentenced after conviction in the main Easter attacks trial, according to Sri Lanka Brief
- Washington embassy building inquiry
- To be recalled on 9 December 2026 for the Attorney General’s instructions
- Weligama hotel shooting, December 2023
- Indictments served on nine accused on 7 October 2026; all bailed; next hearing 27 November 2026
- Yoshitha Rajapaksa money laundering trial, Colombo High Court
- Prosecution witnesses, including a naval officer, were testifying on 15 October 2026; further hearing of evidence postponed to 30 October 2026; no verdict reported