University academics file FR petition over current status of economy

Saturday, 4 June 2022 01:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Petitioners cite PM, former PM, former CBSL Governors among respondents
Say tax reduction granted in 2019 was politically motivated and plunged economy into current situation
Petition says citizens facing unprecedented economic hardship, with extreme levels inflation causing the price essential goods and services to rise
Seeks leave to proceed in case

Three university academics have filed a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition in the Supreme Court (SC) over the current status of the economy citing 39 respondents including Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, ministers, MP, ex-CBSL and Finance Ministry officials.

The petitioners are Dr. Athulasiri Kumara Samarakoon of the Open University of Sri Lanka and academics Soosaiappu Neavis Morais and Dr. Mahim Mendis.

The other respondents cited in the petition include former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, former Secretary to the President P.B. Jayasundara, former Governors of the Central Bank Ajith Nivard Cabraal and W.D. Lakshman and former Ministry of Finance Secretary S.R. Atygalle.

The Petitioners have cited the reduction in taxes after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa took office as the main reason for the plight of the country’s economy today. They state that the President, together with the former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, have consistently and consciously decided to reduce the taxes payable by the citizenry of the Republic, for the sole purpose of delivering the election promises and this move was purely politically motivated.

Due to this tax reduction, the country has suffered enormous and unprecedented economic damage and citizens are facing unprecedented economic hardship, with extreme levels of inflation causing the price of essential goods and services to increase at extreme rates.

The Petitioners state that they are aggrieved by the significant economic hardship faced thereby, and by the citizens of the Republic, including; (1) high levels of inflation, (2) the non-availability of vital resources, goods, commodities, and other essential items, including fuel, Liquid Petroleum Gas, medicine, and food, and (3) the dearth of foreign currency all of which arose consequent to the mismanagement of the economy of the Republic by several of the Respondents to this application.

The petitioners are seeking leave to proceed as well as interim relief in relation to several other related issues.

Instructing attorneys for the Petitioners are Shiranthi Gunawardena Associates.