Feb 18, Colombo: A three-judge bench of the Colombo High Court today ordered the acquittal and release of former Inspector General of Police (IG) Pujith Jayasundera of all charges regarding the Easter Sunday attack.

Pujith Jayasundera was charged with criminal misconduct for failing to take action to prevent a terrorist attack on Easter Sunday, despite receiving intelligence prior to the attack on 21 April 2019.

The order was issued today by the three-judge bench comprising justices Namal Balalle, Aditya Patabendige and Mohamed Irshadeen.

Following a lengthy trial, the judges issued an order acquitting and releasing the accused without a call for defense statement.

Former Defense Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and former IGP Pujith Jayasundara have been charged with failing to take action to prevent a series of suicide bombings targeting Catholic churches and star hotels on Easter Sunday April 21, 2019 despite receiving prior information.

The Attorney General had filed 864 indictments under Sections 296 and 300 of the Penal Code, including attempted murder against the two former officials.