• Two FR petitions filed by BASL regarding the current economic crisis

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda 

The Supreme Court yesterday ordered the Attorney General to submit a comprehensive fuel distribution mechanism for the essential services. 

The Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justices Vijith Malalgoda, Mahinda Samayawardena and Arjuna Obeysekera made this order in respect of two Fundamental Rights petitions filed by Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) regarding the current economic crisis.

Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Energy filed an affidavit detailing the procurement and distribution of fuel with the areas that should be given priority for fuel distribution.

On a previous occasion, the Supreme Court had granted leave to proceed with these two petitions.
The BASL is seeking orders directing the Cabinet of Ministers to immediately consult with all the relevant stakeholders and independent experts to formulate and implement policies to provide uninterrupted access to provide concessions in relation to the prices of essential goods and services to the people including LP gas, fuel, electricity, milk powder, medicines and food.

The petitions have made the Attorney General, the Cabinet of Ministers, the Governor of the Central Bank, Secretary to the Treasury, Secretaries to several Ministries, the Ceylon Electricity Board, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and the State Pharmaceutical Corporation as Respondents.

These petitions are to be taken up for hearing on July 26.

President’s Counsel Uditha Egalahewa, Counsel Suren Gnanaraj and G.G. Arulpragasam appeared for the petitioners.

Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle appeared for the Attorney General.

• The petitions have made the Attorney General, the Cabinet of Ministers, the Governor of the Central Bank, Secretary to the Treasury, Secretaries to several Ministries, the Ceylon Electricity Board, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and the State Pharmaceutical Corporation as Respondents
• Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Energy filed an affidavit detailing the procurement and distribution of fuel with the areas that should be given priority for fuel distribution