The Attorney General today informed the Court of Appeal that no instructions had yet been received from the respondents regarding the petition filed by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, seeking an order preventing his arrest in connection with the investigations into the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.

The petition was taken up today before a Court of Appeal bench comprising President of the Court of Appeal Justice Rohantha Abeysooriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando, said Ada Derana reporter.

During the proceedings, Justice Priyantha Fernando stated that he would recuse himself from hearing the case due to personal reasons.

President's Counsel Romesh de Silva, appearing on behalf of the petitioner, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, requested the court to issue an interim injunction preventing the arrest of his client.

However, Deputy Solicitor General Suharshi Herath, appearing for the respondents, informed the court that the documents relating to the petition had been received only this morning and that no instructions had yet been received from the respondents.

The Deputy Solicitor General further stated that, in the absence of instructions from the respondents, she was unable to provide an undertaking to the court that the petitioner would not be arrested.

Accordingly, the court adjourned consideration of the petition until this afternoon.