Privilege issue on SC’s interim order referred to Parliament committee

• The interim order issued by the Supreme Court violates principles of natural justice

By yohan perera & Ajith sriwardhana 

A resolution to refer the privilege issue raised by MP Premnath C. Dolawatte on the interim order issued by the Supreme Court asking the finance minister to allocate funds for the local government elections was approved by Parliament yesterday.  The resolution was presented by Leader of the House Susil Premajayantha last morning.

 MP Dolawatte said the interim order issued by the Supreme Court violates principles of natural justice. “ The bench of judges who issued the interim order had disregarded the affidavit submitted by the Finance Secretary through which he claimed the impossibility of releasing funds for the local poll and this breaches the privileges of Parliament,” the MP said.  
“ Under article 43(1) of the constitution , the Minister of Finance is responsible to Parliament which controls public finances . The interim order attempts to prevent the implementation of laws which give financial powers to the legislature. The order gives legal validity to activity budget estimates overruling the Act of Parliament. This matter was brought to the notice of the court by the Attorney General,” he added.  

He also highlighted that the interim order was given despite a case pertaining to a similar petition on local government being pending, “ One judge who was at the bench which issued the interim order on the first case was a relative of the petitioner of the second case,” he also alleged.