SC dismisses case against oil bid

Wasantha RAMANAYAKE

COLOMBO: The Supreme Court yesterday concluded a fundamental rights application against the tender awarding process with regard to the Mannar Bay oil exploration by an Indian Company.

Concluding the rights application Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva PC noted that the correct procedure had been followed in awarding the tender.

The Bench comprised Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva PC with Justice Ms. Shiranee Thilakawardane and Justice Nimal Gamini Amaratunga.

With the conclusion of the case successful bidder Cairn India Ltd. is now free to go ahead with oil exploration in the Mannar Basin the counsel said.

Petitioner Malika Gunasekera, an Attorney-at-Law filed the case in the public interest alleged that 19 respondents including Cabinet Appointed Negotiating Committee and Petroleum and Petroleum Development Minister A.H.M. Fowzie, arbitrarily and unlawfully in violation of the rights of the petitioner and the general public had awarded the oil exploration tender in the Mannar Basin.

He sought an interim order not to award the tender to any of the bidders. S. Srikanthan appeared for the petitioner. M.A. Sumanthiran appeared for the unsuccessful bidder NICO. Romesh de Silva PC with Sugath Caldera instructed by G.G. Arulpragasam appeared for the 18th respondent Cairn India.