Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is reportedly set to file an appeal before the Supreme Court against the Court of Appeal’s dismissal of his writ petition seeking an order preventing his arrest under the Prevention of Terrorism Act in connection with investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.
The decision was delivered by a two-member bench comprising Court of Appeal President Justice Rohanta Abeysooriya and Justice Sarath Dissanayake. At the time, President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva, appearing for Gotabaya Rajapaksa, sought permission to file an appeal.
Justice Abeysooriya stated that no statement had so far been recorded from Gotabaya Rajapaksa in relation to the case and, therefore, notices would not be issued to the respondents. He also said the court did not intend to intervene in the ongoing investigations.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa was informed that submissions seeking leave to appeal could be made on October 9.
President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva and President’s Counsel Ali Sabry appeared for the petitioner along with Attorney-at-Law Sanath Wijewardena.
Deputy Solicitor General Suharshi Herath appeared for the Attorney General.
