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FR petition challenges release of elephants in state care to those claiming their ownership

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By Ifham Nizam

A Fundamental Rights Case, filed by the Centre For Environmental Justice (CEJ) and others in the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka against the release of elephants under the care of government authorities to those who claim to be their private owners on directives based on a Cabinet decision, was taken up yesterday before Supreme Court judges Buwaneka Aluvihare, Arjuna Obeysekera and Achala Vengappuli.

The Attorney General’s Department stated that they had already filed preliminary objections for amending the original petition by adding the Cabinet of Ministers and said that they were also objecting to some other amendments made.

The Court then directed the Attorney General’s Department to bring their objections to the attention of the petitioners as well and ordered that the facts of the amended petition be confirmed before the same tribunal which had heard the case previously.

The FR case was filed challenging the Cabinet decision taken based on a Joint Cabinet Memorandum by the Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Urban Development and Housing and Economic Policies and Plan Implementation Mahinda Rajapaksa and Minister of Wildlife and Forest Conservation R. M. C. B. Ratnayake instructing the Attorney General to “Release of Elephants under the care of government authorities to those who claim to be their Private Owners”.

The case is set to return to court on 12 October.

The Centre for Environmental Justice, Withanage Don Hemantha Ranjith Sisira Kumara, Edirisinghe Arachchilage Sanjaya Edirisinghe, Panchali Madurangi Panapitiya and Weerakkdoy Appuhamilage Manoja Jayaswini Weerakkody are among the petitioners.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, all Cabinet Ministers and the Attorney General have been cited as respondents.

Senior Counsel Ravindranath Dabare, Nilmal Wickramasinghe and Samadhi Hansani Premasiri appeared for the petitioners.



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President requests the opposition to support the implementation of the IMF agreement

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe urged the Opposition to unite and disregard political differences to assist in carrying out the IMF agreement, which would aid in the development of Sri Lanka’s economy.

The President emphasized that his duty is not to condemn previous administrations but to concentrate on the development of the country. He also declared his dedication to constructing a better future by creating laws and frameworks that prevent the recurrence of past errors.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe delivered this message in a special address to Parliament this morning (22) regarding the receipt of the Extended Credit Facility from the International Monetary Fund.

He stated that despite allegations being leveled against him that his objective was not to rescue the country from an economic crisis but to safeguard the Rajapaksa family, the international community had acknowledged his efforts to carry the country across the economic vine bridge.

The President further said that he had faith in rebuilding the beloved country where he was born, brought up and educated, and said that many past experiences were the reasons for confirming that faith.

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SJB, JVP move SC against Finance Secy. for contempt of court

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The main Opposition, Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB), and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday (21) moved Supreme Court against Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana over his failure to provide funds required by the Election Commission to conduct the Local Government polls, ignoring an interim order issued by the apex court, on 03 March.

Ranjith Madduma Bandara, MP, is the petitioner for the SJB and Vijitha Herath, MP, moved court on behalf of the JVP, the leading party in the Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB).

Two Opposition parties declared action against Siriwardana the day after the Freedom People’s Alliance (FPA) issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Finance Secretary to release the funds.

EC Chairman Nimal Punchihewa is on record as having said that in spite of SC directive he didn’t receive fresh funding.

The petitioners sought the issuance of summons on Siriwardana for contempt of court over failure to carry out its interim orders, given on 03 March.

The petitioners want the Finance Secretary punished in terms of Article 105 (3) of the Constitution.

The SJB stated that Siriwardana had refrained from carrying out the March directives, on the basis of a Cabinet decision, taken on 13 Feb., 2023. The SJB also pointed out that the offensive conduct of the Treasury Secretary, inter alia, causes grave prejudice to the esteemed authority of the Supreme Court and in turn disturb the public confidence in the authority of the highest Court in the country. (SF)

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Minister indicates reduction in fuel prices in April

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Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara told Parliament yesterday that fuel prices would be reduced considerably according to the fuel price formula at the next fuel price revision, due in April.

The Minister said that the government would be able to procure fuel shipments, at lower prices, during competitive bidding, with the receipt of the IMF bailout.

There had been practical issues, and problems, in opening Letters of Credit, and obtaining credit facilities, in the recent past, as Sri Lanka could not give a guarantee to fuel suppliers, Minister Wijesekara said.

“We could not open LCs and obtain credit facilities when procuring fuel. After the IMF bailout, we will be able to procure fuel at lower prices during competitive biddings. We will be able to obtain a long-term credit facility as well. Fuel prices in the global market seem to have declined and the rupee has also gained strength against the US Dollar. Having considered all these factors, fuel prices will be reduced by a considerable margin which could be felt by the people,” he said.

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