Pastor Jerome Fernando withdraws the writ petition filed in the Court of Appeal against his arrest

The writ petition filed by Pastor Jerome Fernando seeking an order preventing police from arresting him in connection with the controversial Sunday sermon was withdrawn yesterday by his lawyers before the Court of Appeal.

The Attorney General had earlier raised objections against the petition over misrepresentation and suppression of material facts.

President's Counsel Jagath Wickramanayake, appearing for Pastor Gerome Fernando, sought the court's permission to withdraw the application, reserving his rights to file a fresh application.

Accordingly, the writ petition was dismissed by the Court of Appeal's two-judge bench, comprising Justices Sobhitha Rajakaruna and M.A.R. Marikkar.

The Attorney General had told the court that the CID has already commenced investigations against Pastor Jerome for insulting other religions and for the alleged commission of offences under Section 291B of the Penal Code and Section 3 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act of 2007.