Ten years after the initial acquittals, the Court of Appeal has directed that the high‑profile assassination case of former Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian Nadarajah Raviraj be retried, marking a major turning point in one of Sri Lanka’s most scrutinised political killings.
The ruling, delivered on 26 March 2026 by Justices B. Sasi Mahendran and Amal Ranaraja, overturns the 2016 verdict that freed several accused, including three officers attached to naval intelligence. The decision follows an appeal filed by the Attorney General challenging the earlier outcome.
Why the Court Ordered a Retrial
In its judgment, the Court of Appeal found serious flaws in the conduct of the original trial, which was held before a special jury a decade earlier. The Court noted:
- The High Court judge did not give adequate legal direction on how the jury should evaluate the testimony of an accomplice witness who had received a conditional pardon.
- Jury instructions began late in the evening and extended unusually long, raising concerns about whether the jurors had enough clarity and time to deliberate.
- Key elements of the prosecution’s evidence were not properly handled in the original charge‑to‑the‑jury.
After reviewing the material, the bench concluded that there was sufficient evidence to justify a fresh examination of the case and that the earlier acquittals could not stand.
As a result, the matter has been sent back to the High Court for a full retrial.
Nadarajah Raviraj (1961–2006) was a lawyer, human rights advocate, and parliamentarian whose political career reflected a commitment to democratic activism during some of Sri Lanka’s most turbulent years.
Before entering politics, Raviraj built a reputation as a practicing attorney known for representing victims of human rights violations. His legal background shaped much of his later political work, particularly on issues related to civil liberties and the rights of civilians affected by the armed conflict.
Role in the Tamil National Alliance
Raviraj was elected to Parliament as a member of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), becoming one of the alliance’s most visible and outspoken representatives in Colombo. He frequently engaged with Sinhala and Muslim political leaders, and was known for:
- Advocating for a negotiated political settlement
- Speaking publicly against human rights abuses
- Bridging communication gaps between communities during wartime
He was also a former Deputy Mayor of Jaffna, giving him political experience at both local and national levels.
Assassination in 2006
Raviraj was assassinated in November 2006 while travelling through Colombo with his police bodyguard, Constable Lakshman. The attack took place in broad daylight and drew strong reactions from both local civil society and the international community.
The killing occurred during a period of heightened conflict, and his death was widely viewed as part of a pattern of targeted violence against outspoken political figures.
What Happens Next
With the Court of Appeal’s order now in effect, the case returns to the High Court for a complete retrial, giving prosecutors another chance to present evidence that had been overshadowed by procedural issues in 2016.
Legal analysts note that the retrial could have wider implications, both for accountability in wartime-era crimes and for the broader public discussion on justice for politically motivated killings.