Former President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday filed a motion in the Supreme Court seeking to appoint a panel of five or more justices to consider the Fundamental Rights (FR) petition filed against the acquisition of the house on Mahagamasekera Mawatha in Colombo, where he lived during his Presidency, even after retirement.
The petition challenges the decision of the Cabinet which is chaired by the President.
The motion states that the matter should be considered in accordance with Articles 43 (1) and 43 (2) of the Constitution before a full Bench of Justices of the Supreme Court.
Therefore, the motion calls on Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya to take an appropriate decision on the appointment of the panel of justices before the matter is taken up again.
The petition was filed by the Center for Policy Alternatives and its Executive Director Dr.Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu.
The Attorney General, the Cabinet, the Secretary to the Cabinet and others are named as the respondents.
President’s Counsel Faiz Musthapha and Attorney-at-Law Keerthi Tillekeratne appeared for the former President.