SC issues order preventing Gota’s arrest

The Supreme Court yesterday issued an interim order preventing the arrest of former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa until a ruling was given on the fundamental rights petition filed by him.

Rajapaksa on Monday filed the fundamental rights application challenging the legality of establishing the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) and sought an interim order preventing his arrest.

Rajapaksa was represented by President’s Counsel Ali Sabri and Romesh de Silva when the petition was taken up for consideration at the Supreme Court.

The case was taken up before a three-member judge bench comprising Justices Eva Wanasundera, Sisira De Abrew and Buwaneka Aluwihare.

However, Justice Buwaneka Aluwihare yesterday stepped down from the bench citing personal reasons. Therefore, the FR petition was considered by only two judges.