PB ordered to appear in Court on Oct 8

Wasantha Ramanayake

The Supreme Court yesterday issued notice on Former Secretary to the Treasury P.B. Jayasundera to appear before the Supreme Court on October 8, to appraise the Court whether he is still holding any public office.

The Court issued notice when Additional Solicitor General Y. Wijethilake informed that he would not appear for Jayasundera. The Bench comprised Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva PC with Justice Ms. Shiranee Thilakawardane and Justice Nimal Gamini Amaratunga.

Petitioner Vasudeva Nanayakkara and Nihal Sri Amarasekera filed a motion in the Court alleging that Jayasundera is still holding public office despite the Supreme Court Judgement in the Lanka Marine Service Limited case where the Court found he had acted beyond his authority favouring JKH and acted in collusion with 20th respondent, JKH chairman Susantha Ratnayake in the process of transferring the LMSL shares to JKH.

The Court expressed dissatisfaction at the failure of the IGP, the Director CID and the Bribery Commission to take consequential steps in connection with the Judgment of the court. M.A. Sumanthiran with Viran Corea appeared for the petitioner.

Romesh de Silva, PC, appeared for John Keells.

Upul Jayasuriya appeared for employees of the LMSL.

The matter was put off for October 8.