14 petitions on Easter attacks: SC fixes for arguments in September

By S.S. Selvanayagam

The Supreme Court yesterday (12) fixed for argument on 2, 3 and 4 September the Fundamental Rights petitions filed in respect of the Easter Sunday catastrophe.

The Bench comprised Justices V. Vijith Malalgoda and P. Pathman Surasena.

Viran Corea appears for the Respondent the former IGP. Anuja Premaratne appears for the Respondent former Defence Secretary as the Attorney General has declined to appear on their behalf.

Gamini Perera appears for the Petitioners Janath S.Vidanage who is the Managing Director of a travel company as well as Saman Nandana Sirimanne, the father of the deceased Medha Sathsarani Sirimanne and Imesh Thiwanka Sirimanne.

Saliya Peries PC appears for Rev. Fathers Ashok Stephan, Sarath Ithamalgoda and Sherard Jayawardana.

Faisz Musthapha PC with Razik Zarook PC, Faiza Markar, Faris Sally and M. Mehran Careem appear for the Petitioner Hilmy Ahamed. Sanjeeva Jayawardena PC appears for BASL.

Petitioners claim the inaction/actions of the Respondents constitute Executive and Administrative action. Senior Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena who appeared for the Bar Association of Sri Lanka making his submission before the Supreme Court had contended that the President cannot evade his liability or responsibility, entrusted upon him in law.

They seek the Court for a declaration that the Respondents have violated the Fundamental Rights to equality and equal protection by law as well as the freedom to engage in lawful occupation and business.

They are also asking the Court to direct the Attorney General to investigate and prosecute the IGP under the Penal Code.

On 21 April 2019 three Christian churches, namely, Shrine of St. Anthony’s Church, Kochchikade, St. Sebastian’s Church in Negombo and Zion Church in Batticaloa, were bombed whilst the Easter service was taking place on one of the most important days in the Christian calendar.

Three further attacks took place at The Shangri-La Colombo, the Cinnamon Grand and The Kingsbury. The three luxury hotels in the commercial capital Colombo were targeted in a series of coordinated terrorist suicide bombings.

Later that day, there were more explosions that took place at a housing complex in Dematagoda and a guest house in Dehiwala when Police approached to apprehend suspects who aided and abetted the attacks and where the suspects were homed to organise these attacks targeted in several cities in Sri Lanka.

At least 260 people were killed, including at least 37 foreign nationals and three Police officers, and at least 500 were injured in the said bombings up to date.