The Supreme Court yesterday decided to dismiss all Fundamental Rights petitions filed seeking the annulment of the Cabinet decision to transfer 40% of the government-owned stake in the Kerawalapitiya Yugadhanavi Thermal Power Plant to an American company, New Fortress Energy.
Announcing the order, Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya said that the five-judge panel did not wish to allow the petitions to be granted leave to proceed. He said the decision was taken by the five-judge panel after deliberating on the fundamental issues raised and opposed by five fundamental rights petitions challenging the agreement.
The order was made by the five-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justices Buwaneka Aluvihare, Priyantha Jayawardena, Vijith Malalgoda and L.T.B Dehideniya.
The petitions have been filed by Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, Ven.Elle Gunawansa Thero, General Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balawega Ranjith Maddumabandara, Wasantha Samarasinghe and the Secretary of the Ceylon Electricity Board Ranjan Jayalal.