By Roy Denish.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa writ petition faces AG push for Supreme Court referral over arrest fears linked to 2019 Easter attacks.
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: The Gotabaya Rajapaksa writ petition took centre stage Monday as state prosecutors asked the Court of Appeal to refer the matter to Supreme Court, arguing that his bid to block arrest over the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks raises fundamental constitutional rights.
Deputy Solicitor General Suharshi Herath made the request on the third day of arguments before a two-judge Court of Appeal bench comprising Justices Rohantha Abeysuriya and Sarath Dissanayake.
The state argued that the Gotabaya Rajapaksa writ petition refers to alleged interference with his personal liberty and freedom of movement. Therefore, prosecutors said, the matter falls under Article 126 of the Constitution, which gives the Supreme Court exclusive jurisdiction over fundamental rights cases.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa Writ Petition Faces Legal Challenge
The proceedings grew sharper when Herath challenged Rajapaksa’s claim that he did not know Azad Maulana, a key figure whose allegations over the 2019 bombings appeared in a UK Channel 4 documentary.
The state produced a statement from a detained individual identified as ‘Iniyabharathi.’ He claimed he visited Rajapaksa’s Mirihana residence in 2019 and saw Maulana there. Prosecutors also submitted photographs showing Maulana with the former president.
Romesh de Silva, President’s Counsel for Rajapaksa, rejected the state’s position. He accused authorities of preparing an unlawful arrest without reasonable suspicion.
De Silva said several commissions of inquiry that investigated the Easter Sunday attacks made no reference to Rajapaksa. These included a recent panel headed by retired judge S.I. Imam.
Responding to the photographs, de Silva said they came from routine political activities. He argued that they did not connect his client to criminal acts. He also said Rajapaksa had been photographed with many public figures, including political leaders and the Colombo archbishop.
The Court of Appeal fixed the Gotabaya Rajapaksa writ petition for further arguments on July 9.
Credit: Newsfirst.lk
