The Fundamental Rights petition filed in the Supreme Court by Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) and three individuals calling for action against persons responsible for the current economic crisis which was initially set to be taken up for support for leave to proceed on 28 June was taken up in court yesterday.

Only three respondents were represented in court and they were Counsels representing the 1st Respondent the Attorney General’s Department (appearing on behalf of President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa), the 8th Respondent Nandalal Weerasinghe and the 9th Respondent the Monetary Board of Sri Lanka.

Counsel for the 8th and 9th Respondents informed court that a similar matter (SCFR 195/2022) had already been filed and was to be fixed for support before a five-judge Bench of the Supreme Court on Monday. Accordingly, the Counsel requested that the court consider taking up both these matters together. The court thereafter directed the matter to the Chief Justice to consider this request.  

The Petitioners have sought interim relief restraining Mahinda Rajapaksa, Basil Rajapaksa, Central Bank former Governors Prof. W.D. Lakshman and Ajith Nivard Cabral and Treasury former Secretary S.R. Attygala from overseas travel without the prior approval from the Supreme Court. 

The Petitioners have also sought the appointment of a committee under the auspices of the Supreme Court to investigate the causes, steps taken by the Respondents, and to compile a report on the financial irregularities and mismanagement for the economy, among other relief. 

The petition was filed by Transparency International Sri Lanka along with Chandra Jayaratne, Jehan Canagaretna and Julian Bolling.  

Chandaka Jayasundera PC appeared for the Petitioners along with S.A. Beling, Chinthaka Fernando, Sayuri Liyanasuriya and Manisha Dissanayake. 

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