Justice Priyantha Jayawardena refused to sit on the bench hearing the Fundamental Rights petition filed by former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa against his imminent arrest by the FCID, citing personal reasons.

The case was to be heard by a three member bench comprised of Justice Priyasath Dep, Justice Priyantha Jayawardena and Justice Upali Abeyratne of the Supreme Court.

However, following the withdrawal of Justice Jayawardena, the case was fixed for May 25 for consideration.

Through the petition filed in May 2015, Rajapaksa sought an interim order preventing his arrest by the police Financial Crimes Investigations Division. The Supreme Court issued an interim order against his arrests concerning several investigations carried out by the FCID.

Rajapaksa also questioned the legality of the establishment of the FCID through this FR petition.