COA suspends Gotabaya Rajapaksa's summons to Jaffna Magistrate's Court

Colombo(News 1st) - The Appeal Court issued an interim-injunction today (September 24) suspending the summons issued on ex-Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa to appear at the Jaffna Magistrate's Court to provide evidence in a case related to the enforced disappearance of two Human Rights Activists. Earlier, the Jaffna Magistrate's Court issued summons on Gotabaya Rajapaksa to appear in court and provide evidence in the habeas corpus case filed over the 2011 disappearances of Lalith Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganandam in the North and East. In an appeal filed with the Court of Appeal, Gotabaya Rajapaksa pointed out he cannot appear at the Jaffna Magistrate's Court due to security concerns and if required he is prepared to provide evidence on the matter at any other court except for those in the Jaffna District. Considering the facts, Justice Deepali Wijesundara of the Court of Appeal issued an interim injunction order. She ordered for the Appeal Court order to be dispatched to the Jaffna Magistrate's Court and ordered for the examination of Gotabaya Rajapaksa's petition to commence on the 03rd of December. Justice Achala Wengappulli informed he would recuse himself from considering the appeal filed by Gotabaya Rajapaksa.