Waters Edge case :

Concerned parties asked to file objections

Wasantha RAMANAYAKE

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the concerned parties in the Waters Edge Rights application to file their Application of objections within two days when the matter was called before the court on Tuesday.

Nihal Jayawardane for the Urban Development Authority (UDA) submitted that the matter was called for the tendering the expert committee report on flood retention and to bring the attention of the court that the Treasury had not so far released money for the paying of compensation and day to day expenses. He submitted that a reminder had been sent on June 30 however, there had not been any response from the Treasury up to then.

Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardane for intervenient-petitioners who were bona fide purchasers of the Lands from the UDA submitted that the petitioners had failed to make them parties and as result they were not heard.

He submitted that it was a miscarriage of Justice and prayed the court to grant a limited and equitable relief for value of their money.

President's Counsel C.R. de Silva on behalf of purchasers of the lands submitted that the judgment has to be revisited since their clients had not been given a hearing.

President's Counsel D.S. Wijesinghe and Shibly Aziz complained that the orders made after the delivery of the judgment lacked jurisdiction.

The court requested the counsel to make written applications of their objections within two days.

The Bench comprised Chief Justice Asoka de Silva and Justice Ms. Shirani Thilakawardane and Justice K. Sripavan.

The court directed to issue notice to all the parties.

The case will be mentioned on July 20 to consider the written applications.