News
Petitions challenging Trinco oil tank farm deal re-fixed for support on 25 May
By Chitra Weerarathne
The two petitions filed on the Trincomalee Oil Tanks agreement were re-fixed for Support on 25 May after they were called before the Supreme Court on Thursday .
The first respondent, Attorney General, was given time till 11 March to file objections.
The first petition was filed by Wakmulle Uditha Thera of the Jathika Bhikku Peramuna. He filed the fundamental rights violation petition through Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala.
The second petition was filed jointly by Elle Gunawansa Thera and Bengamuwe Nalaka Thera.
The petitioners have named 47 persons including the Attorney General, the Secretary to the President, the Minister of Finance, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, the Minister of Energy, and the Auditor General as respondents.
The petitioners claim that the Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila, at a press conference on 4 January, announced the Cabinet had approved the joint development of the Trincomalee Petroleum Tank Complex with Lanka Indian Oil Company.
The petitioners have claimed that it was reported in the media that an agreement was signed between the government of Sri Lanka and the Lanka IOC to establish a company named Trinco Petroleum Terminals Pvt. Ltd., to carry out the development activities.
The petitioners have claimed that the Constitution does not give Cabinet the power to make such a decision and thus the manner in which the agreement was signed is against the law.
The petitions allege that the Cabinet has violated the public’s trust in the government and the rule of law.
The petitioners have requested the Supreme Court to nullify the agreement and the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers.
The petitioners have also demanded that the Cabinet decision and copies of the agreement be placed before the Supreme Court for an inquiry.
The petitioners have further requested the Supreme Court to issue an order under Article 132 (3) of the Constitution to consider this petition before a special panel of judges.
The bench comprised Justice Murdhu Fernando, Justice Yasantha Kodagoda and Justice Shiran Gooneratne.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development to recognize the “Sri Lanka National Export
Development Plan – 2026–2030” as the official strategic framework for export development and promotion of exports in Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board, in collaboration with public and private sector stakeholders connected to the export sector, has formulated the National Export Development Plan 2026–2030 by obtaining technical assistance under the Policy-Based Lending Programme of the Asian Development Bank.
The aforementioned Plan provides a comprehensive strategic framework to guide and monitor Sri Lanka’s export development process, with the target of earning US$ 36 billion in foreign exchange through the export of goods and services by the year 2030
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs to accept the Global Charter for Children’s Care Reform for Sri Lanka.
Approval has been granted by the Cabinet of Ministers on several earlier occasions to amend the Consumer Affairs Authority Act No. 9 of 2003.
In accordance with the approval granted at the Cabinet
meeting held on 2023-05-02, the Legal Draftsman is currently in the process of preparing the relevant amended Bill, and the Legal Draftsman has informed that it would be appropriate to obtain policy approval from the present Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
Accordingly, taking into consideration the necessity of restructuring the Consumer Affairs Authority too, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative
Development to instruct the Legal Draftsman to expeditiously complete the preparation of the relevant Bill to enable the amendment of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act, No. 9 of 2003.
Cabinet approves recognition of ‘Sri Lanka National Export Development Plan – 2026–2030’
Cabinet nod to accept the Global Charter for Children’s Care Reform for Sri Lanka
Cabinet grants policy approval to amend the Consumer Affairs Authority Act, No. 9 of 2003
Cabinet approal for Legal Draftsman to prepare a Bill to enable the amendment of Finance Business Act, No. 42 of 2011
M.S. Mahadiulwewa appointed act in the post of Director General of Commerce
Wimal S.K. Liyanagama appointed Director General of Customs
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