The Attorney General has objected before the Court of Appeal to the request made by Pastor Jerome Fernando's lawyers to withdraw the petition seeking a writ of invalidation against the case filed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for insulting other religions, including Buddhism.
During the hearing before Court of Appeal Judge D. N. Samarakoon, President's Attorney Ronald Perera, representing the petitioner, requested permission to withdraw the petition.
Senior State Attorney Shaminda Wickrama, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, opposed the request, citing misuse of court procedure.
In response, the petitioner's lawyer mentioned an agreement made before the Fort Magistrate Court to withdraw the petition. However, the Attorney General's lawyer argued that agreements made in a Magistrate's Court are not relevant to the Court of Appeal and requested time to file objections.
Consequently, the court ordered both parties to present their oral arguments on March 25.
