Non - payment of employees’ EPF and ETF unlawful - DSG

Jayantha de SILVA

The non- payment of both EPF and ETF to employees of X news and SL Mirror websites and their non - business registration are unlawful, Deputy Solicitor General Shavindra Fernando said when the Fundamental Rights petition against the raid on the two website offices by the CID was taken up by a three judge Bench of the Supreme Court yesterday.

The petitioner is UNP Parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera. The Bench comprised Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, Justice K Sri Pavan and Justice Nimal Gamini Ameratunge.

The Chief Justice observed that there is a wrong interpretation that a warrant to raid the two websites was ordered by the Supreme Court.

Attorney at law Saliya Pieris appearing for the petitioner submitted that by virtue of being Opposition run websites and critical of the government, the petitioner was expressing himself through the websites.

Referring to Article 10 of the constitution, he said there is no law requiring to register websites and hence they were not registered. Justice Ameratunge observed that the petitioner contends that his Fundamental Rights are violated. His contention could be raised when filing objections. The matter will be taken up on February 7.