Judge Sujeewa Nishankha of the Colombo High Court advised the defendants on the 13th that Duminda Silva and his co-accused, Chaminda Ravi Jayanath, had been cleared of all charges by the Supreme Court. The charges included conspiracy, aiding and abetting, and possession of an illegal T56 firearm. The acquittal came after the Supreme Court ruled on October 11, 2018, declaring the life sentence against Duminda Silva and others to be void.
During the hearing, it was revealed that Duminda Silva, who is currently receiving treatment at Welikada Prison Hospital, was not in court; prison officials produced a medical report about his condition. Judge Nishankha ordered that Duminda Silva be formally informed of the Supreme Court’s decision.
In compliance with the Supreme Court’s decision, the High Court further ordered the Registrar to grant Sarath Bandara, the seventh defendant, a fresh prison license. During the hearings, the defendants were represented by attorney Ravindra de Silva.