The Attorney General has opposed multiple intervening petitions seeking to participate in the case of former State Intelligence Service Director Suresh Salley, who is challenging his detention related to the Easter Sunday attacks.

The Court of Appeal heard arguments today regarding twelve intervening petitions filed by various parties, including religious and civil society figures, who wish to participate in a case brought by former State Intelligence Service Director Suresh Salley. Salley is challenging the legality of his detention in connection with the Easter Sunday terror attacks.

The Deputy Solicitor General, representing the respondents, formally objected to allowing the intervening petitions to proceed. However, Salley's legal counsel expressed no opposition to permitting the third parties to make submissions before the court. One intervening petitioner's representative argued that a previous Supreme Court judgment established that citizens have the right to intervene when executive power is exercised arbitrarily, and contended that Salley's arrest fell into this category.

The case centers on whether Salley's detention was lawful or constituted an arbitrary exercise of state power. The Court of Appeal bench, headed by Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya, deferred further consideration of the matter to the following day. The court's decision on whether to accept the intervening petitions will determine whether additional parties can present arguments alongside the main legal dispute.