By Lakmal Sooriyagoda  

The Supreme Court yesterday re-issued notices on former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa returnable for December 15 in connection with an appeal petition filed over the Habeas Corpus inquiry into the disappearance of two human rights activists Lalith and Kugan.  

The Court of Appeal had earlier issued an order quashing summons requiring former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to appear before Jaffna Magistrate’s Court as a witness in connection with the Habeas Corpus inquiry into the disappearance of Lalith and Kugan.  

The aggrieved party had filed this appeal challenging the order made by Court of Appeal. Counsel Nuwan Bopage appearing for the petitioners of the appeal submitted to court that the notices have already been sent to the former President. However, he was not represented by an attorney.  

Taking into consideration the facts, the Supreme Court decided to re-issue notices on former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa returnable for December 15.  

The Magistrate’s Court of Jaffna had issued summons on Gotabaya Rajapaksa to attend and given evidence in connection with the Habeas Corpus inquiry. Human Rights and political activists Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganandan went missing on December 9, 2011, when Gotabaya Rajapaksa was serving as the Defence Secretary.   

• Human Rights and political activists Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganandan went missing on December 9, 2011