The Supreme Court has postponed considering the Fundamental rights (FR) petition, which was filed by Retired Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda’s lawyers seeking an order preventing the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) from arresting him, until 7th of March.

The petition was taken up before the three-judge bench consisting of Chief Justice Nalin Perera, Justice Priyantha Jayewardene and Justice Murdu Fernando this morning (28).

Justice Priyantha Jayewardene, citing a personal reason, informed the court that he is unwilling to take part in the hearing of the petition.

The Additional Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, stated that the investigations on Wasantha Karannagoda have already concluded and they are ready to file indictments against him.

Representing the petitioners, President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva, told the court that he has no issue with regard to filing indictments, however, issuing an injunction order preventing the arrest of his client is necessary. 

Chief Justice Nalin Perera queried the Additional Solicitor General if any undertaking could be given on withholding the arrest of the petitioner.

Responding to this, the Additional Solicitor General stated that giving an undertaking as such at that moment is not possible.

Accordingly, considering the petition was postponed to March 07.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Director of Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the Attorney General and the OIC of the Gang and Robbery Unit of CID have been named as the respondents of the petition.

Karannagoda says that the CID has launched an investigation on him for allegedly threatening a witness of the case on the disappearance of a group of youths in Colombo and suburbs during the administration of the previous government.

The CID’s investigation is based on a statement given by the former Vice Admiral Travis Sinniah, he has stated in the petition.

Stating that there is a risk of CID arresting him, Karannagoda has requested the Supreme Court to issue an order preventing the arrest as these investigations of the CID has no basis.