Notice issued on all respondents in Writ application

Wasantha Ramanayake

COLOMBO: The Court of Appeal yesterday issued notice on all respondents in a Writ application that sought to quash the appointments made to the Public Service Commission and the National Police Commission.

The petitioners in this case challenged the appointments made to the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the National Police Commission (NPC).

They stated that the President on April 10, appointed nine persons to the PSC and seven to the NPC by-passing the Constitutional Council (CC) which was now defunct due to the failure of the political parties in the Parliament other than the SLFP and the UNP to nominate a member.

They alleged that the appointments were unconstitutional.

The Bench comprised Justice Jagath Balapatabendi and Justice L. K. Wimalachandra.

Petitioners Dr. A. C. Visvalingam, President of the Citizens' Movement for Good Governance, and Susil Siriwardane of Avadhi Lanka both of Colombo 7, cited the Attorney-General, the Secretary to the President, the Prime Minister, the Speaker, the Opposition Leader, Parliamentary Group Leader of all the political parties other than the SLFP and the UNP, newly appointed members to the PSC and the NPC as respondents.

The petitioners sought to quash the appointments made to the two councils and to make directions compelling the Speaker to cause the MPs belonging to all the political parties other than the SLFP and the UNP to nominate a member to the CC.

They also sought a prohibition order preventing the newly appointed members of the PSC and the NPC from carrying out their functions until they would be duly appointed in terms of the 17 Amendment to the Constitution.

Elmore Perera appeared for the petitioners.

The notice will be returnable on April 28.