The Court of Appeal today (1 October) dismissed without a hearing a writ petition filed by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa seeking to prevent his arrest and detention in connection with investigations into the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.
Rajapaksa had sought an order preventing the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) from arresting him and detaining him under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
The decision was delivered by a bench comprising Court of Appeal President Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya and Justice Sarath Dissanayake after considering the submissions.
The court declined to exercise its writ jurisdiction, refused the request to issue notices to the respondents and dismissed the petition without proceeding to a hearing.
President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva, appearing for Rajapaksa, sought permission to lodge a special appeal against the order.
The matter is scheduled to be called again on 9 October at 1.30 p.m. for submissions on that request.
