Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has taken legal action before the Court of Appeal seeking an order to prevent his detention under the Temporary Provisions Act (Prevention of Terrorism) in connection with investigations into the series of suicide attacks carried out on Easter Sunday in 2019.
Rajapaksa has filed a writ petition requesting the Court of Appeal to issue a restraining order, also known as a prohibition order, preventing authorities from arresting him while investigations into the attacks continue. The Court of Appeal, which is the second-highest court in Sri Lanka after the Supreme Court, is being asked to intervene in the matter.
The petition was filed through Attorney-at-Law Sanath Wijewardene and names three individuals and officials as respondents. The Inspector General of Police, former Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Shani Abeysekara, and CID Officer-in-Charge Madhava Gunawardena have been named as defendants in the case.
The legal action follows ongoing investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks, with authorities examining matters related to the incidents that took place in 2019. Rajapaksa is seeking an order from the Court of Appeal to prevent his arrest under provisions of the Temporary Provisions Act (Prevention of Terrorism) based on those investigations.
A travel ban has already been imposed on Rajapaksa, preventing him from leaving the country while the investigations are being carried out. The restriction was issued in connection with the ongoing inquiries into the attacks.
The investigations have also involved other senior officials. Former State Intelligence Chief Suresh Sallay is already being held under arrest warrants and is being questioned as part of the probe.
The petition filed by Rajapaksa names senior police officials connected to the investigative process and seeks judicial intervention to stop any potential detention. The Court of Appeal will consider the request for the restraining order sought by the former president.
