The Court of Appeal prevented the Police Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) from arresting former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa under the Public Property Act. 

The stay-order extended by the Court of Appeal will be valid till March 23. 

Rajapaksa was under investigation by the FCID for several cases coming under the scope of the Public Property act. 

Rajapaksa constantly maintained that the ongoing investigations against him was a 'political witch-hunt'. 

This means Rajapaksa, a top government official under the previous administration, may not be arrested despite calls by some sections of the government to expedite action against him.