Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has filed a petition before the Court of Appeal seeking an order preventing his arrest under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in connection with ongoing investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.
The petition was filed through Attorney-at-Law Sanath Wijewardena and names Inspector General of Police (IGP), Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Director Shani Abeysekara, and Officer-in-Charge of the CID’s Special Investigation Unit, Madhava Gunawardena, as respondents.
Rajapaksa has sought judicial intervention amid reports that investigators are examining his role and responsibilities during the period leading up to the Easter Sunday attacks, which claimed the lives of more than 260 people and injured hundreds more.
The latest legal move comes days after the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court imposed an overseas travel ban on the former President in relation to the same investigation. The court order was issued following a request by the CID, which is conducting inquiries based on findings and recommendations contained in several reports on the Easter Sunday attacks.
“Why the Outcry Only After Gotabaya’s Travel Ban?” – Justice Minister Harshana
