The Attorney General yesterday raised preliminary objections regarding the writ petition seeking an Interim Order preventing the prison authorities from executing the sentence of death on any person.The writ petition was yesterday taken up before a Court of Appeal five-judge sbench comprising Justice Yasantha Kodagoda (President), Deepali Wijesundera, Janak de Silva, Achala Wengappuli and Arjuna Obeysekere. Senior Deputy Solicitor General Nerin Pulle appearing for the Attorney General raised jurisdictional objections against the petition. Pulle argued that the Court of Appeal has no jurisdiction to hear this petition since it was challenging a decision taken by the President to implement the death penalty. He contended that the content of this petition was mainly based on constitutional powers vested in the President and, thereby, the matter should be referred to the Supreme Court for interpretation.
