Case against PSC appointments:

Dates fixed to support interim relief

Wasantha RAMANAYAKE

COLOMBO: The Court of Appeal yesterday fixed dates to support the interim relief prayed in the writ application that sought to quash the appointments made to the Public Service Commission and the National Police Commission, for May 5.

The interim orders sought to stay the newly appointed members to the Public Service Commission and the National Police Commission from functioning in their respective capacities until they would be duly appointed in terms of the 17th Amendment to the Constitution. The orders if issued will be in force until the final determination of the application.

The Bench comprised Justice K. Sripavan and Justice Sisira de Abrew.

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

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 currently defunct due to the failure of the political parties in the parliament other than the SLFP and the UNP to nominate a member.

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 President to the Secretary, 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.

Elmore Perera appeared for the petitioners.

President's Counsel Srinath Perera with Daya Pelpola appeared for the Leader of the Opposition.

Senior State Counsel Nerin Pulle appeared for the Attorney General.