June 18, Colombo (LNW): The Court of Appeal is set to hear a petition today (18) filed by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who is seeking legal protection against any potential arrest linked to ongoing investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.
The matter was initially taken up yesterday before a bench comprising Court of Appeal President Justice Rohantha Abeysooriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando. During the hearing, the court directed that the case be called again today in order to verify the facts presented by the parties involved.
As a result, the petition will come before a differently constituted bench today, presided over by Court of Appeal President Justice Rohantha Abeysooriya alongside Justice Sarath Dissanayake.
Rajapaksa’s application centres on efforts to prevent any arrest action while investigations related to the Easter Sunday attacks continue. The case has attracted considerable public attention given the ongoing scrutiny surrounding accountability and the handling of intelligence information prior to the deadly bombings.
Further proceedings are expected to determine whether the court will grant the relief sought by the former Head of State.