8 Tamil civilians file FR petitions against forceful eviction

[TamilNet, Friday, 27 July 2007, 11:47 GMT]
The Sri Lanka's Supreme Court granted leave to proceed with the fundamental violation petitions filed by eight Tamil civilians against the forceful eviction from Colombo lodges on June 6 and 7 by the Sri Lanka government security forces. Three-member bench of the Supreme Court comprised Justices Nimal Dissanayake, chairman, Nihal Gamini Amaratunge and Andrew Somawanse heard the submissions on behalf of petitioners Thursday and fixed the inquiry for November 28, legal sources said.

Counsel Mr.Mohan Balendra filed a joint FR petition on behalf of seven Tamils, Messrs Kanthasamy Rajasingham, Tharmarajan Kalaivaani, Tharmarajan Vasuha, Parameswary Arumugam, Gnanasuntharam Mathivathanan, Nadaraja Kulendran and Suppiah Wijeyakanth.

Counsel Mr.Vilanthi de Silva filed the FR petition on behalf of Thambirajah Kanthasamy.

All had been affected by the forceful eviction from lodges.

President Counsel Mr.Kanag-Easwaran with Counsels M.A.Sumenthran, Viran Corea and Chamini Gunaratne appeared for the petitioners and made submission.

Additional Deputy Solicitor General Mr.Palitha Fernando represented the Attorney General

The Defence Secretary, Inspector General of Police and Attorney General gave been cited as respondents

The inquiry into the FR petition by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) and its Executive Director Dr.Paikiyasothy Saravanamuttu against the forceful eviction of Tamil civilians from Colombo lodges and two intervenient applications filed by a Muslim and a Sinhalese supporting the eviction has also been fixed for the same date November 28, the SC Bench announced Thursday.

The stay order issued by a three – member bench presided by the Chief Justice Sarath Silva in June while the forceful eviction was in progress on a FR petition filed by the CPA is still in force.