Easter attack investigation: 'No, no, don't arrest me' - Gotabaya again to the Supreme Court

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has filed an appeal petition in the Supreme Court against the Court of Appeal's dismissal of a writ petition he filed, seeking an order preventing his arrest under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in connection with the investigations being conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) into the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.

The Inspector General of Police and the Director of the Criminal Investigation Department, among others, have been named as respondents in the said appeal petition.

The Court of Appeal had previously ordered the dismissal of the writ petition filed by Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa without hearing it. That decision was announced by a bench of judges comprising Court of Appeal President Justice Rohantha Abeysooriya and Justice Sarath Dissanayake.

Justice Abeysooriya stated that since no statement has been recorded from the petitioner to date, notices would not be issued to the respondents, and accordingly, the court does not intend to interfere with the investigations.

The bench of judges pointed out that investigations should proceed without hindrance for the proper advancement of the criminal justice process, and that the court would not intervene to suspend the investigation process when even the preliminary step of recording evidence from the petitioner has not been completed.

Immediately upon the announcement of the decision, President's Counsel Romesh de Silva, appearing for Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, requested permission to appeal, stating that his client intended to file an appeal before the Supreme Court against this order. The petitioner's party was then informed that submissions for seeking leave to appeal could be made on October 09.

President's Counsels Romesh de Silva and Ali Sabry appeared for the petitioner's party along with attorney Sanath Wijewardena, while Deputy Solicitor General Suharshi Herath appeared for the Attorney General.

Expediting investigations into the Easter attacks and enforcing the law against those responsible is considered a major national and international obligation for the current government. The international community, including the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the Vatican, is also closely monitoring the progress of the Easter investigations.