Petition challenging Ranil’s eligibility for Presidential Election dismissed

• The petition had been filed by Attorney-at-Law R.S.P. Ranasuriya seeking a declaration that President Ranil Wickremesinghe had violated and infringed upon the Fundamental Rights of citizens by failing to appoint an Acting Inspector General of Police

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda  

A Fundamental Rights petition filed by a lawyer seeking an order to prevent President Ranil Wickremesinghe from contesting as a candidate in the Presidential election scheduled for September 21 has been dismissed by the Supreme Court with costs.  

In dismissing the petition in limine (at the outset), the Supreme Court directed the petitioner to pay Rs. 50,000 as legal costs.  

The petition had been filed by Attorney-at-Law R.S.P. Ranasuriya seeking a declaration that President Ranil Wickremesinghe had violated and infringed upon the Fundamental Rights of citizens by failing to appoint an Acting Inspector General of Police.  

Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle, appearing for the Attorney General, raised objections challenging the maintainability of the petition, arguing that it was contrary to the provisions of Article 92 of the Constitution.  

In his petition, the petitioner further sought an order directing the President to appoint a suitable Senior DIG as the Acting IGP as per the interim order issued by the Supreme Court.  

The Petitioner stated that the President had publicly taken up the view that he has no authority to appoint an acting IGP because he is a candidate for the forthcoming presidential election. The petitioner stated that while contradicting his own position about his powers under the constitution, the President had appointed Ali Sabry as the Minister of Justice on August 12.