News
BASL asks govt. to inform SC how it intends to address crisis
second case before five-judge bench also to be mentioned today
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Amidst economic chaos caused by the disruption of fuel and LP gas supplies as well as severe shortage of food and medicine, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has filed a motion requesting the Supreme Court to take up cases pertaining to alleged violation of fundamental rights due to the deprival of basic requirements of the people. A senior spokesperson for the BASL yesterday told The Island that they would be represented by Dr. Kanag Iswaran, PC, Uditha Egalahewa, PC, Suren Gnanaraj, Pulasthi Hewamanne, Lakshmanan Jeyakumar and Niranjan Arulpragasam instructed by GG Arulpragasam. The cases would be taken up today (04). The BASL is seeking interim relief.
The BASL has acted in terms of Articles 17 and 126 of the Constitution. The motion has been filed in respect of cases over fundamental rights violations under Articles 11, 12(1), 13(4), 14(1)(g), 14(1)(b), and 14 A of the Constitution.
The BASL spokesperson said that the cases were to be taken up today for the Counsel for the respondents to inform the apex court of measures taken to improve the situation. Copies of the motion, affidavit and the annexures have been delivered to the Attorney General.
The respondents are the Attorney General, both former and present members of the Cabinet, including Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, both former and present members of the Monetary Board, several other officials and three stare enterprises, CEB, CPC and SPC.
Responding to a query, the BASL Spokesperson said that the BASL had amended the affidavit to include those who accepted cabinet portfolios following the appointment of Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister on 12 May. The official pointed out that a week after the appointment of the new Premier, the Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe had declared that Sri Lanka was suspending debt repayment pending negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The BASL has brought to the notice of the Supreme Court several pertinent matters namely disruptions to the supply of petrol, diesel, LP gas, kerosene, electricity and medicine, the inability of the public to engage in income-generating activities owing to the disruptions to public and private transport and health services, food supply and court proceedings, and the likelihood of breakdown law and order.
The affidavit also includes a section of BASL statement issued on 27 June on the continuing fuel shortage and its impact on the people. The BASL has urged the government to inform the public immediately of its plans to ensure the continuous supply of fuel in the short term, present a roadmap for the fuel crisis, and to devise, after proper consultation with the relevant stakeholders, an effective plan to ensure the fair and equitable distribution of fuel to the people taking into account the need to ensure that public transportation and essential services are not hindered.
Referring to contradictory statements issued by those who represented the government, including Sagala Ratnayake, Chief of Staff of Premier Wickremesinghe, the BASL has stated that none of the respondents has so far informed the public of measures to alleviate the suffering of the people.Meanwhile, a fundamental rights violation case in which Prime Minister Wickremesinghe has been named as the first respondent as regards the economic crisis will be mentioned today (04) to fix a date for support. The case will be taken up before a bench of five judges.
Dr. Athula Kumara Samarakoon of the Open University, Sri Lanka, Soosaiappu Neavis Morais and Dr. Mahim Mendis have petitioned the Supreme Court. The application filed in terms of the Articles 17 and 126 of the Constitution has named the entire Cabinet of Ministers, including former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa and Basil Rajapaksa and Ali Sabry, PC as respondents. Among others named are former presidential secretary Dr. P. B. Jayasundera, ex-CBSL Governors, Prof. W.D. Lakshman and Ajith Nivard Cabraal and ex-Treasury Secretary S.R. Attygalle.
Members of the CIABOC (Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption), too, have been made respondents; the petitioners have in a letter, asked the CIABOC members to investigate the mismanagement of the economy by former members of the Monetary in violation of Section 70 of the Bribery Act as well as lawmakers Mahinda Rajapaksa and Basil Rajapaksa. The petition cited the controversial decision taken to reduce a range of taxes in terms of SLPP presidential election candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s manifesto titled, ‘Vistas of Prosperity’ as one of the major causes of the current crisis.
The petitioners have stated that as at April 2022, the price of essential goods had increased from the previous year as follows: (a) The price of Petrol increased by 85%; (b) The price of Diesel increased by 69%; (c) The price of a cylinder of Liquid Petroleum Gas increased by 84%; (d) The price of turmeric increased by 443%; (e) The price of bread increased by 433%; (f) The price of rice increased by 93%; and (g) The price of dhal had increased by 171%
The petitioners have cited incumbent CBSL Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe’s statement before the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) on 25 May in support of their argument. Dr. Weerasinghe was quoted as having told COPE that the government lacked foreign currency reserves to pay its foreign debt or buy essential imports, and the assistance of the International Monetary Fund and foreign nations was required.
The petitioners have also quoted statements made by ex-Finance Minister Sabry to underscore the crisis created by what they call the wrong policies of the then government. They cited President Rajapaksa’s unilateral decision to prohibit the use of chemical fertiliser and agrochemicals as another reason for the crisis. Issues such as the government using foreign reserves to prevent the depreciation of the rupee have also been raised by the petitioners. Statements made by Dr. Ranee Jayamaha and Sanjeeva Jayawardena PC, two appointed members of the Monetary Board, before the COPE were also cited in support of the petition. They were quoted as having said that they received instructions to use dollar reserves to hold the rupee as Rs. 203 in spite of their strong objections
The much-delayed Provincial Council (PC) elections cannot be held this year due to financial and legal constraints, JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva has said in Jaffna.Silva said so, fielding questions from journalists after the opening of the NPP coordination office in the Jaffna District on Saturday.
When asked whether the government was under Indian pressure to conduct the Provincial Council elections soon, Silva answered in the negative, claiming that Sri Lankan and Indian governments maintained close and friendly relations with a strong level of understanding.
He said budgetary allocations had been made for the PC elections, but the government had been compelled to divert resources for disaster relief following the impact of Cyclone Ditwah. According to Silva, nearly Rs. 500 billion had to be allocated for relief measures, making it difficult to hold the elections this year. He further said legal complications in the electoral reform process had also contributed to the delay in holding the PC elections, noting that a parliamentary committee had been appointed to determine the electoral systems under which the PC polls should be conducted. Once the committee submitted its report and if no further issues arose, the elections could possibly be held next year, he said.
Silva also said the government had taken measures to strengthen reconciliation and development in the North by releasing lands previously occupied by military camps and improving road infrastructure.He added that empowerment initiatives were being implemented under the Praja Shakthi programme and that both Sri Lanka and India were continuing to work in close cooperation.
More than 31,000 people across Sri Lanka have been affected by worsening weather conditions, as the southwest monsoon intensifies ahead of its full establishment, raising fears of renewed flooding in vulnerable low-lying areas, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has warned.
The DMC has said 31,072 individuals from 7,983 families have already been impacted by persistent rain, strong winds and rising water levels across multiple districts, with the situation most severe in the Gampaha District where 15,313 people from 3,950 families have been affected and one death reported.
Officials have cautioned that the scale of disruption could worsen as the southwest monsoon is expected to fully establish over the island around May 26–27, bringing heavier and more sustained rainfall to the southwestern region.
At present, 18 safety centres are in operation, sheltering 1,724 displaced persons from 446 families. One person has been injured and 859 houses have been partially damaged. Two houses have been destroyed.
The Department of Meteorology has forecast increased rainfall over the coming days, warning that conditions are likely to deteriorate further as monsoon activity strengthens.
Flood-hit areas remain widespread, with river systems still under pressure despite a brief easing in rainfall on Saturday. The Kelani River has returned to normal levels, but minor flooding persists along the Kalu River basin, particularly in the Millakanda area, where tributary water levels remain elevated.
Low-lying areas in Bellapitiya, Horana, continue to be inundated, while traffic on the Bulathsinhala–Kalutara road remains disrupted due to flooding in Diyakaduwa. Authorities have also flagged continued risk in Putupawula and Ellagawa along the Kalu River.
The Attanagalu Oya basin is also slowly receding, though residents in Dunamale have been urged to remain on alert. Several homes in Ja-Ela remain underwater, with residents alleging that delayed repairs to a damaged canal embankment worsened the flooding.
In a fresh blow to infrastructure, the Swarna Hansa Podi Ela bridge in Ja-Ela collapsed on Saturday evening, further disrupting local transport links, while the main Ja-Ela–Gampaha bus route remains submerged in parts of Yakkaduwa.
Meteorologists have warned that rainfall is expected to intensify again from May 26 to 28, when the southwest monsoon is likely to be formally declared over Sri Lanka, raising the risk of further flooding and landslides in already saturated areas.
by Norman Palihawadane and Chaminda Silva
Police said a suspect wanted in connection with the murder of an elderly couple inside a shop in Dickoya town, Hatton, had been arrested on Saturday evening (23).
The arrest was made in the Bogawantalawa police area. Acting on a tip-off, the police arrested him while he was hiding in a house on a tea estate.
Police said stolen gold jewellery had been recovered.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect, originally from Badulla, had been residing in Dickoya after his marriage.
Earlier on Saturday, Hatton Police released CCTV footage of the suspect and sought public assistance to trace and arrest him.
According to police, the suspect allegedly slit the throat of the elderly woman and killed her husband using a sharp weapon on Thursday (21) before fleeing with gold jewellery valued at around 18 sovereigns, including a necklace and earrings.
Investigations further revealed that the suspect had arrived in Dickoya town on the morning of May 21 and visited several jewellery shops claiming he intended to purchase a gold necklace, while loitering in the area.
Police said that around 1.15 pm, he entered the couple’s shop and remained concealed inside the premises before allegedly carrying out the attack.
Hatton Police added that the suspect is believed to have committed the murders and left the shop around 5.30 pm the same day before going into hiding.
by Norman Palihawadane
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