The Supreme Court today (21) ordered the issuance of an open warrant for the arrest of former Minister Premalal Jayasekara and produce him before court after he failed to appear for a hearing.

The Supreme Court directed that the warrant be issued through the Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and instructed the Inspector General of Police to take all necessary steps to enforce it without delay.

The two other defendants, who appeared before the court today, were ordered to be remanded.

The case relates to a shooting at an election campaign rally held in Kahawatta in 2015, during the presidential election campaign of then-presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena. One person was killed in the incident.

The Ratnapura High Court subsequently sentenced three accused, including Premalal Jayasekara, to death after finding them guilty in connection with the incident.

However, upon hearing appeals filed against the convictions, the Court of Appeal ordered the acquittal and release of Jayasekara and the two other defendants.

The aggrieved party later filed an appeal challenging the Court of Appeal's decision. The Supreme Court concluded the hearing of that appeal on September 4 and issued notices directing all three defendants to appear before court today.

When the case was taken up today, Jayasekara failed to appear, Ada Derana reporter said.

After considering the submissions made before it, a three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justices Achala Wengappuli and Gihan Kulatunga ordered that an open warrant be issued for Jayasekara's arrest and that he be produced before the court.

Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, informed the court that Jayasekara is currently overseas.