Motion calling for travel ban on MR, BR, Cabraal and two others

A motion was yesterday filed in the Supreme Court seeking the issuance of an order prohibiting traveling abroad against Former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and former Central Bank Governors Ajith Nivard Cabral and Prof. W. D. Lakshman and former Finance Ministry Secretary S. R. Artigala.

It is said in the motion that information has been received that they are preparing to leave the country due to the public protest which occurred on July 9 and at the moment, nobody knows from where the President is working in his position.

It has been pointed out in the motion that if these respondents leave the country, it will hinder the conduct of fair investigations regarding the allegations against them. The motion has pointed out that if these people who are responsible for the current economic crisis leave the country, the people of this country will suffer irreparable loss and damage if the relevant investigations are not successful

This motion was filed in relation to a fundamental rights petition filed by Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce former president Chandra Jayaratne, requesting that an investigation be conducted against the people responsible for the current economic crisis.

The motion states that the fundamental rights petition filed seeking an order to conduct an investigation against the people responsible for bankrupting the country and the public by following short-sighted economic measures and acting without proper management is scheduled to be taken up before the Supreme Court on July 27.

It is also mentioned in the motion that the fundamental rights petition also seeks an order preventing Former Finance Ministers Mahinda Rajapaksa, Basil Rajapaksa and former Central Bank Governors Ajith Nivard Cabral and Professor W. D. Lakshman, former secretary of the Ministry of Finance S. R. Artigala from traveling abroad without the permission of the court.

However, it is also stated in the motion that the public has not been able to know the whereabouts of even the President due to the unrest created in the country after the public protest held on July 09, forcing the President to step down.

However, it is also stated that the President has expressed his desire to resign from his post.

It is also stated in the motion that information has been revealed that some of the respondents in this petition are preparing to flee the country. Therefore, as requested in the relevant fundamental rights petition, the motion has also sought from the court to issue an order preventing respondents from going abroad. The petition was filed by former Chamber of Commerce Chairman Chandra Jayaratne, swimming champion Julian Bowling, Jehan Kanegaratne and Transparency International Sri Lanka.

The Petition has cited the Attorney General on behalf of the President, former Minister of Finance and former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, current Minister of Finance and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, former Governors of the Central Bank Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Dr. W.D Lakshman, former Finance Ministers Basil Rajapaksa, Ali Sabry, Former Secretary to the Finance Ministry S.R. Artigala, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka President Saliya Peiris, PC and 13 others as the respondents.

The petitioners allege that the country is currently in a state of bankruptcy and the people are in dire straits due to the unwise economic policies and inefficient administration pursued by the respondents.

The petition alleges that this has made it difficult for the people to access essential services such as fuel, electricity, food and medicine.

The petition states that due to this situation, Sri Lanka has been listed as a country that cannot repay foreign loans and this has brought more disrepute to the country internationally. The petition points out that the tax concessions granted unnecessarily by the respondents in 2019 were one of the reasons for this economic crisis. The petitioners also allege that the failure to seek the assistance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at the right time during the economic crisis has led to such a crisis in the country. The petition has sought a declaration that the respondents have violated the fundamental human rights of the public. Also, the petitioners request the Supreme Court to issue an order to conduct an immediate investigation into the matters pointed out in this petition.

The petition also sought an order directing the several respondents to appoint a committee under the supervision of the court to compile a report on the financial irregularities and mismanagement of the economy in relation to the specific cases outlined in the petition. Also, the petition has requested that the cabinet decisions taken regarding the financial matters, the documents exchanged between the respondents be submitted to the court. President’s Counsel Chandaka Jayasundara, appeared on the instructions of Upendra Gunasekara for the petitioners.

 

by dailynews sri lanka

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