The petition filed by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa seeking an order preventing his arrest over investigations into the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks was taken up before the Court of Appeal today (17).
The matter was heard before a Court of Appeal bench comprising President of the Court of Appeal Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando.
During proceedings, Justice Priyantha Fernando stated that he would not be participating in the case due to personal reasons.
The Attorney General informed court that no instructions have yet been received from the respondents in relation to the petition.
President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva, appearing for Gotabaya Rajapaksa, requested the court to issue an interim order preventing his client’s arrest.
However, Deputy Solicitor General Suharshi Herath, appearing for the respondents, informed court that she had received the relevant documents only this morning and had not yet obtained instructions from the respondents.
She further stated that she was unable to give an undertaking that the petitioner would not be arrested without instructions from the respondents.
The Court of Appeal subsequently adjourned the matter until noon for further consideration. (NewsWire)
