Photographs allegedly showing former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa with Asad Moulana were presented before the Court of Appeal on Monday during the hearing of a writ petition filed by Rajapaksa seeking an order preventing his arrest in connection with investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.
Rajapaksa filed the petition following claims that authorities were preparing to arrest him over allegations made by Moulana regarding the Easter Sunday attacks. Through the petition, he has requested court intervention to prevent any arrest, claiming such action would be unlawful and a violation of his fundamental rights.
Representing the respondents, Deputy Solicitor General Suharshi Herath told court that Rajapaksa had stated in his petition that he was not acquainted with Moulana. However, she said a statement recorded by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) from a suspect identified as Iniyabharathi indicated that Moulana and several others had met Rajapaksa at his Mirihana residence in 2019.
The Deputy Solicitor General informed court that photographs allegedly taken at the residence were submitted as evidence, claiming they showed Rajapaksa and Moulana together. She argued that the photographs contradicted Rajapaksa’s statement and suggested that complete information had not been disclosed to court.
She further maintained that the petition mainly concerned alleged fundamental rights violations, including personal liberty and freedom of movement, and argued that such matters should be considered by the Supreme Court, which holds constitutional jurisdiction over fundamental rights cases.
Appearing on behalf of Rajapaksa, President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva argued that the photographs did not prove any criminal involvement. He stated that as a former Defence Secretary and political figure, Rajapaksa had met and been photographed with numerous individuals from different backgrounds, and that appearing in a photograph with someone does not establish wrongdoing.
De Silva also pointed out that several commissions appointed to investigate the Easter Sunday attacks had not found evidence implicating Rajapaksa, arguing that there were no valid grounds for an arrest.
Following submissions from both parties, the Court of Appeal postponed further hearing of the petition until July 9, when additional submissions are expected from the Deputy Solicitor General.
