GR to be personally named as a respondent in Trinco Oil Tank farm agreement case

The Supreme Court today granted permission to personally name former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as a respondent party in connection with several Fundamental Rights petitions filed against Trinco Oil Tank farm agreement.

Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thera, Ven. Bengamuwe Nalaka Thera and  Secretary of National Bhikkhu Front Ven. Wakmulle Udhitha Thera had filed these petitions challenging the legality of the cabinet memorandum that authorised to enter into an Agreement with the Lanka IOC PLC to jointly develop China Bay Oil Tank farm.

Counsel Dharshana Weraduwage appearing for the petitioners sought court's permission to amend the caption of petitions. He sought Court's permission to personally add former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as a respondent since he was no longer holding the post of the President. Weraduwage further sought Court's permission to add incumbent President Ranil Wickremasinghe and the incumbent Cabinet to the petitions as respondent parties in line with new developments. 

Supreme Court two-judge-bench comprising Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare and Shiran Goonaratne granted permission to amend the caption of the petitions and the parties were directed to file objections if necessary.
These petitioners are to be taken up again on November 11.

Initially, the petitioners had filed these petitions naming President Gotabaya Rajapaksa through the Attorney General, Cabinet of Ministers including Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, Trinco Petroleum Terminal (Pvt) Ltd, Lanka IOC PLC and several others as respondents.(Lakmal Sooriyagoda)