By Lakmal Sooriyagoda

The Supreme Court yesterday issued an order quashing the findings and recommendations made by the Commission of Inquiry appointed by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in respect of nine petitioners including former High Court Judge Padmini N. Ranawaka and President’s Counsel Upul Jayasuriya.   

The Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justices Vijith K. Malalgoda, Achala Wengappuli and Arjuna Obeyesekere held that the proceedings against the petitioners and the report produced consequent to such proceedings are unlawful and are in violation of fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 12 (1) of the Constitution.   

Accordingly, the Supreme Court ordered to quash the findings and recommendations made by the Commission of Inquiry appointed by the former President by warrant published in the Government Gazette Extraordinary 2157/44 dated 09.01.2020 against Padmini N. Ranawaka, Upul Jayasuriya PC, Susith Malinga Bandara, Somisara Bandara Ekanayake, Ravi Seneviratne, Ananda Wijepala, Travis Sinniah, Sandya Ekneligoda and Shani Abeysekera. The Court further ordered the state to pay each petitioner a sum of Rs.150,000 as cost.