Demolition of Rajya Sabha Mandapaya: Stay order preventing arrest of fmr. Kurunegala Mayor suspended by SC

 By Lakmal Sooriyagoda

The Supreme Court yesterday issued an Interim Order suspending the operation of an Interim Order issued by Court of Appeal which stayed the arrest warrants issued against Kurunegala former Mayor Thushara Sanjeewa and four others in connection with the demolition of the Rajya Sabha Mandapaya (Royal Assembly Hall) of King Buwanekabahu in Kurunegala. This Interim Order will be effective until the final determination of the appeal applications.

Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, Justice Kumuduni Wickramasinghe and Justice Shiran Goonaratne made this order pursuant to appeal applications filed by the Attorney General challenging the legality of Court of Appeal order dated August 25, 2020.   
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court further suspended the Court of Appeal proceedings pertaining to the writ petitions filed by five individuals including Kurunegala former Mayor Thushara Sanjeewa. The appeal petitions were fixed for argument on March 1.   

On August 7, 2020, warrants had been issued by Kurunegala Magistrate on Kurunegala Mayor Thushara Sanjeewa Vitharana, Kurunegala Municipal Commissioner Pradeep Nishantha Thilakaratne, Municipal Engineer Chaminda Bandara Adikari, Superintendent of Works Ilaludeen Sulfiya, and backhoe machine operator Lakshman Priyantha regarding the demolition of a building with archaeological value in Kurunegala.   

President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsecularatne with Shavindra Fernando and Udara Muhandiramge appeared for the respondents. Deputy Solicitor General Madawa Tennakoon appeared for the 
Attorney General.