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Madiwela land: CBK, Cabinet, called to Court
The Supreme Court has issued notices on former President Chandrika Kumaratunga and her former Cabinet of Ministers to appear in Court on July 17 after granting leave to proceed with the fundamental rights violation petition filed by three lawyers, against the Cabinet decision to grant President Kumaratunga land and other perks in violation of the Presidents’ Entitlement Act.

The Court also issued a stay order against the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers to grant Chandrika Kumaratunga one and a half acres of land at Madiwela along with additional facilities.

The Bench comprised Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva, Justices Raja Fernando and N.G. Amaratunga. Respondents were not present and were not represented by lawyers. Court issued notices on the respondents returnable on July 17.
Hiroshana Senarath, D.M. Dissanayake and Ajith Liyanage, in their petition, cited former President Chandrika Kumaratunga and the present and previous members of the Cabinet of Ministers as respondents. Peter Jayasekera with K. Thiranagama, P. Liyanarachchi and Kosala Senadeera appeared for the petitioners.

The petitioners are seeking the Court to hold that the decision of the respondents at Cabinet meetings, to grant to Chandrika Kumaratunga a land at Madiwela, in free hold, a civilian staff of 63 personnel, the purchase of 36 vehicles and the assignment of 198 security personnel, in excess of the numbers permitted by the Presidents’ Entitlement Act, are illegal and void and to quash the decision.

The petitioners want the Court to hold that granting these facilities is illegal and in excess of the Presidents’ Entitlement Act, while she holds the post of President of the SLFP is arbitrary, unreasonable and ‘mala fide’ and has infringed their fundamental rights and those of the citizens of the country.
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