The Fort Magistrate’s Court is set to rule on November 25 regarding a petition to lift the overseas travel ban on former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, which was imposed in connection with the ongoing Easter Sunday terror attack investigations.
Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena announced the date following key submissions by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
During the hearing, the CID voiced reservations about whether the former President would return to Sri Lanka if allowed to travel abroad. State investigators informed the court that while they do not object in principle to lifting the travel restrictions, their consent is contingent on having robust legal mechanisms in place to guarantee his return. Without such guarantees, the CID maintained its opposition to his travel request.
Responding to the CID’s stance, Magistrate Amarasena highlighted a crucial legal limitation: because Rajapaksa has not been formally named as a suspect in the ongoing case, the court lacks the legal authority to impose conditions or orders securing his return once a travel ban is removed.
The court will deliver its final order on the matter on November 25.
