AG files preliminary objections against Appeal Court jurisdiction to hear Gota's revision petition

The attorney general has filed preliminary objections on the jurisdiction of the Appeal Court to hear the revision petition by Gotabhaya Rajapaksa seeking to temporarily bar the Special High Court's verdict in the D.A. Rajapaksa museum's misappropriation of funds case.

Mr. Rajapaksa, the former Defence Secretary, had filed a revision petition against the Special High Court's verdict to dismiss his preliminary objections on the jurisdiction of the Special High Court to hear the case.

However, Additional Solicitor General Priyantha Nawaka while filing his objection had pointed out that as per the Judicature Act, the verdicts of the Special High Court could only be challenged at the Supreme Court.

In response, Presidents Counsel Romesh de Silva representing the defendant had argued that the Appeal Court was vested with the power to hear appeal or revision petitions against the Special High Court as per the Criminal Procedure Code.

After having taken into consideration the arguments put forward by both parties, the Appeal Court announced that it would re-convene the case on May 06.