FR petition against President filed for increasing number of cabinet ministers

A fundamental rights petition has been filed by a lawyer challenging President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision to increase the number of Cabinet ministers from 30 to 48 was yesterday fixed to be mentioned on November 17 by the Supreme Court. This petition has been filed by attorney-at-law Aruna Laksiri. He has cited President Sirisena and the Attorney General as respondents. The petitioner has stated that according to the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, a National Government should comprise the party that has obtained the highest number of seats and the other parties and independent groups in Parliament. The petitioner claims that the present government could not be described as a National Government because a couple of parties entered into an agreement to form a government, and, therefore, it is a gross violation of Article 46.1 (a) of the Constitution. The petitioner is seeking interim relief preventing the President from appointing more than 30 ministers.