Supreme courts suppresses cabinet decision

Supreme Court quashed the Cabinet decision to allow former President Maithripala  Sirisena to occupy the Paget Road official residence even after he had left office.

The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka issued the order when the case was taken up today

This order was passed after a Fundamental rights (FR) petition was filed by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) and its Executive Director, Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu challenging the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers to allow former President Maithripala Sirisena to continue to use the official residence.

The Centre for Policy Alternatives stated that the allocation of a public assets of such a financial value for the personal use of a former President who is no longer carrying out the functions of a Head of State is irrational, arbitrary, and illegal,

The Cabinet approval for the move had been received in October 15, 2019 where President Maithripala Sirisena to retain his official residence, which he occupied during his term at Paget Road Colombo 7, following the end of his term of office.

President Sirisena had occupied the residence since 2015 as he refrained to reside in the president’s official residence at Fort.

In their Petition, they stated that the residence occupied by former President Maithripala Sirisena on Paget Road is of great financial value and is a valuable asset to the country.