SC grants leave to proceed on FR cases against Emergency

The Supreme Court yesterday granted leave to proceed in three Fundamental Rights applications challenging the current Emergency Regulations. 

Namini Panditha and Rusiru Egodage, the conveners of the Liberal Youth Movement, were the petitioners in Application No 261/2022. 

Counsel for the petitioners Dr. Gehan Gunathilake submitted that several provisions of the Regulations violated the fundamental rights of the people, including the right to equality, the freedom of speech and expression, the freedom of peaceful assembly, the right to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. 

The court also directed the State to report back to Court after reviewing certain provisions of the Emergency Regulations that were observed to be overboard.