Gota's counsels continue to question jurisdiction of Permanent High Court Trial at Bar

COLOMBO (News1st) - The Permanent High Court Trial at Bar said that it would deliver an order on the 11th of February after considering the preliminary objections raised by the defence in the case against Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and six others which cited that the court had no jurisdiction to take up the matter. Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris appearing for the prosecution pointed out that the defense is making attempts to prevent the case from being taken up daily, by presenting objections. He added, if there were any objections, they should have been filed with the court at the initial stages of the case, and it is the responsibility of the defense to do so. He also stressed the state had sent thousands of documents to the defense after spending hundreds of thousands of rupees, and therefore requested court to dismiss the preliminary objections and take measures for the case to be taken up for trial daily. He noted, after court proceedings, counsels who do not appear for the case convene media briefings and expressed various views on the matter to gain mileage.  Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris requested court to issue an order to prevent such acts from taking place. Justice Sampath Abeykoon stressed that the court accepts the fact that such acts could have an influence on the evidence to be delivered clearly by witnesses. He added that he believes all would respect the court and further said if one fails to do so, the court has the right to issue a required order.