Judgement postponed in FR case against former President

Wasantha Ramanayake

COLOMBO: The Supreme Court yesterday postponed the judgment in the Fundamental rights application challenging the certain Cabinet grants made to the former President upon her retirement for May 3.

The Bench comprised Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva PC and Justice Saleem Marsoof, PC and Justice Jagath Balapatabendi.

The Chief Justice noted that the judgement could not be delivered since it was not signed by Justice Nimal Gamini Amaratunga, one of the judges who had heard the case was not available and accordingly put off the delivery for May 3.

The Court on March 2, having heard the both parties reserved the judgement.

In this case, three petitioners, lawyers, Hiroshana Senerath of Kelaniya, D.M. Dasanayake and Ajith Liyanage both of Nugegoda sought to quash the decisions of the Cabinet dated November 3, 2005 granting an extent of prime land located in Madiwela, security personnel, staff and vehicles in excess of the President’s Entitlement Act No. 4 of 1986.

They stated that the Cabinet decisions was arbitrary, unlawful and in violation of the Fundamental Rights of the petitioners. They stated that the implementation of the decisions would adversely affect the public finance of the country and would violate the rights of the petitioners. Peter Jayasekera and K. Thiranagama and Kosala Senadheera appeared for the petitioners.

President’s Counsel Nigel Hatch appeared for the first respondent former President. Additional Solicitor General P.A. Rathnayake PC and Senior State Counsel Indika de Silva appeared for the respondents.

The Court put off the delivery of the judgement for May 3.