Appeal Court Dismisses Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Plea Against PTA Arrest 🏛️

• Key Ruling: The Court of Appeal has dismissed, without taking it up for hearing, a writ petition filed by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa seeking to prevent his arrest or detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). • Background: The petition aimed to prevent the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) from arresting him in connection with ongoing investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. • Respondents Named: The petition named the Inspector General of Police, CID Director Shani Abeysekera, the OIC of the CID’s Special Investigations Unit, and the Attorney General. • Legal Context: The court had previously reserved its decision on whether to allow the petition to proceed. The Attorney General’s Department had declined to provide an interim undertaking against arrest without instructions from respondents. • Status: Rajapaksa has denied any involvement in the attacks. The dismissal of the petition removes the legal barrier against potential CID action but does not constitute a finding of criminal liability.