Bid to re-open Dalada Maligawa Road: SC re-fixes FR petition for support on September 16 Buddhist monks and laymen to resist

By S.S.Selvanayagam  

The Supreme Court yesterday (5) re-fixed for support on September 16 for granting of leave to proceed with the Fundamental Rights petition filed in a bid to re-open the portion of the A 26 road (part of which passes the Kandy Dalada Maligawa).  

The matter came up before the Bench comprising Justices Priyantha Jayawardane, P. Pathman Surasena and Yashantha Kodagoda.  

Pulasthi Hewamanna appeared for the petitioners in the main petition namely K. Mudiyanselage Keerthi, H.M.Dayananda, J.M.Mahinda and R.Chandrarathne. They cited the Road Development Authority, IGP, Minister of Higher Education and Highways Lakshman Kiriella, Attorney General and others as Respondents.  

Buddhist monks and laymen who intervened to resist the rights petition. are Sri Dalada Maligawa Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela, Ven. Anamaduve Sri Dhammadassi Anunayake Thera, Ven. Vendaruve Sri Upali Anunayake Thera,Ven. Medagama Dhammananda Thera, Narampanave Ananda Thera, Ven. Muruddeniye Dhammarathana Thera, Ven. Kahawaththe Saranankara Thera, Members of Asgiri and Malwathu Karaka Sangha Sabhas, Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya Basnayake Nilame Mahindra Ratwatte in one intervenient petition.   Sanjeeva Jayawardane PC with Charitha Rupasinghe and Asoka Niwunhella appeared for the Diyawadana Nilame and the Chief Prelates of Asgiriya as well as the Malwatte Chapters, the Basnayake Nilame of Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya and the Kandy City Centre.  Romesh de Silva PC appeared for Sri Pushpadana Society and Sinhala Eksath Sangamaya.  

The matter came up before the Bench comprising Justices Priyantha Jayawardane, P. Pathman Surasena and Yashantha Kodagoda