The Court of Appeal has ordered that all intermediary petitions filed seeking permission to make submissions in support of the writ petition filed by former Head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) Suresh Sallay, challenging his arrest and detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in connection with investigations into the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, be called on July 17.

Several parties, including Ven. Bengamuwe Nalaka Thero and Convener of the ‘Desha Hithaishi Jathika Vyaparaya’ Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekara, had submitted intermediary petitions in this regard, said Ada Derana reporter.

The petitions were taken up today before the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya, and Justice Priyantha Fernando.

Appearing for the respondents, Deputy Solicitor General Suharshi Herath submitted that the intermediary petitions could only be considered if notices were issued in relation to the original petition.

President’s Counsel V.K. Choksy and Manohara de Silva, along with Attorneys-at-Law Chrishmal Warnasuriya, Ashokbaran, and others appearing for the intermediary petitioners, made submissions stating that the case had attracted significant public attention and requested permission to intervene and present submissions.

However, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya, stated that the intermediary applications could only be considered after the submissions of President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena, who appears on behalf of the petitioner, are concluded.

Accordingly, the court ordered that the intermediary petitions be called on July 17.