Woman trishaw driver wins parking case

Wasantha Ramanayake

A woman three-wheeler driver won her case of sexual discrimination before the Supreme Court when the Mayor of the Kotte Municipality granted two alternative places to park her three-wheeler, on Monday.

Counsel Nevil Abeyrathne for the Kotte Municipality and its Mayor Swarnalatha Silva informed court that the petitioner had two choices and Counsel K. Thiranagama for petitioner informed the Court that the parking place at Kotte Junction along Dharmapala Mawatha was agreeable to the petitioner,

The Bench comprised Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva PC with Justice Shirani Thilakawardane and Justice P.A. Rathnayake PC.

Petitioner Sunethra Hemamali of Rajagiriya, complained to Court that although she possessed a valid driving licence, the Mayor of the Kotte Municipality had refused to issue her a parking permit for her three-wheeler since she was a woman. She alleged that she had been sexually discriminated, in violation of her Fundamental Rights.

The petitioner stated that she had applied for the permit for her three-wheeler that has been purchased on a bank loan and was later rejected by the respondent Mayor and the Municipal Commissioner in violation of her rights.

The petitioner further stated that she was supporting her two children and the disabled husband.

According to the petitioner two respondents had asked her to bring a letter from the three-wheeler operators society which comprised of men who had refused to give her the same.

She stated that she had been discriminated by the respondents since she was a woman.

Counsel K. Thiranagama appeared for the petitioner.

Counsel Nevil Abeyrathne appeared for the Kotte Municipality and its Mayor Swarnalatha Silva.