The Supreme Court today 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 Gotabhaya 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 the Court of Appeal. Counsel Nuwan Bopage, appearing for the petitioners in the appeal, submitted to the 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 reissue notices on former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, returnable on December 15.

The Magistrate’s Court of Jaffna had issued a summons to Gotabaya Rajapaksa to attend and give 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.