The Court of Appeal yesterday issued an order directing five respondent parties including the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration that the records including the original documents pertaining to Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s National Identity Card, Dual Citizenship Certificate and his passport be submitted in Court with immediate effect.
Court of Appeal (President) Justice Yasantha Kodagoda and Justice Arjuna Obeysekera made this order pursuant to a writ petition filed by two civil society activists challenging Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s Sri Lankan citizenship.
This order was issued in respect of Controller General of Immigration and Emigration R.M.P.S.B. Rathnayake, Commissioner General for the Registration of Persons P. Viyani Gunathilaka, Minister of Internal & Home Affairs and Provincial Councils and Local Government Vajira Abeywardena and Secretary to Ministry of Internal & Home Affairs and Provincial Councils and Local Government Gamini Senevirathna.
When the matter was further taken up yesterday evening, President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva, appearing for Gotabaya Rajapaksa, submitted in court the documents pertaining to Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s National Identity Card and his passport.
During the hearing, Justice Yasantha Kodagoda observed that the court would exercise an extraordinary procedure enabling all parties to access the judges in order to ensure transparency in the proceedings.
Counsel Suren Fernando with Attorney-at-law Dinesh Vidanapathirana and Priyangika Jayawickrama through Vidanapathirana Associates appeared for the petitioners, well known democracy activist and writer Gamini Viyangoda and painter-scholar Prof. Chandragupta Thenuvara. The two are co-convenors of the Puravesi Balaya (Citizens’ Power) civil society movement known for its advocacy of rights and democracy.
President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva with Ali Sabry PC appeared for Gotabaya Rajapaksa. President’s Counsel Gamini Marapana with Navin Marapana PC appeared for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
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