Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith and Elle Gunawansa Thera go to SC against Yugadanavi LNG deal

• The petitioners have named Cabinet of Ministers, New Fortress Energy Inc. West Coast Power (Private) Limited, the Attorney General and several others as respondents
• Signing of a “Definitive Agreement” on 21st September 2021  between the Government of Sri Lanka and New Fortress Energy Inc. is contrary to the law, arbitrary and an infringement of Fundamental Rights guaranteed under Article 12(1) of the Constitution

 By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith and Ven.Elle Gunawansa Thero yesterday filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court seeking an order staying the operation of all agreements entered between the Government of Sri Lanka and New Fortress Energy Inc. in relation to the sale of 40% of the shares of West Coast Power (Private) Limited held by the Government of Sri Lanka to a US company.

The petitioners have named Cabinet of Ministers, New Fortress Energy Inc. West Coast Power (Private) Limited, the Attorney General and several others as respondents in the petition.  
The petitioners said signing of a “Definitive Agreement” on 21st September 2021  between the Government of Sri Lanka and New Fortress Energy Inc. is contrary to the law, arbitrary and an infringement of Fundamental Rights guaranteed under Article 12(1) of the Constitution. The petitioners alleged that the respondents have failed to give due consideration to the fact that the acceptance of the 53rd Respondent’s New Fortress Energy Inc. unsolicited proposal to purchase 40% of the shares in West Coast Power (Private) Limited is contrary to the National Energy Policy and Strategies (2019).   

The petitioners are further seeking an interim order staying the operation of all  agreements entered into by and between the Government of Sri Lanka and New Fortress Energy Inc. in relation to the supply of Liquefied Natural Gas or the deployment of a FSRU or construction of a R-LNG Pipeline by New Fortress Energy Inc. for the Government of Sri Lanka.

The petition has been filed through Attorney-at-law Manjula Balasooriya.