Politics · Sri Lanka Bureau
Court of Appeal rejects Rajapaksa's bid to block PTA arrest
The Court of Appeal has dismissed a writ petition filed by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa seeking protection from arrest under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. The rejection came without the court scheduling a hearing on the matter.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
A two-member bench of the Court of Appeal has rejected the petition without proceeding to oral arguments, according to legal documents filed in connection with investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings.
Rajapaksa's legal team had sought an order that would have prevented his arrest and detention under the PTA framework while authorities investigate his alleged involvement in the deadly attacks that killed more than 250 people across the island.
The dismissal marks another setback for the former president, who has faced intensified legal scrutiny since his departure from office. The Easter Sunday attacks remain one of the most significant security incidents in recent Sri Lankan history.
With the appellate court's decision now final, investigators retain their authority to pursue legal action against Rajapaksa under the Prevention of Terrorism Act without the restriction sought through the writ petition.