SC entertains written submissions on Kumaratunga's petition

[TamilNet, Monday, 03 November 2003, 18:10 GMT]
The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka Monday entertained written submissions from the Counsels appearing for the petitioner, President Chandrika Kumaratunga, and the State in the inquiry into the petition seeking to resolve the issue of whether the executive president or the defense minister has the power over security of the country, legal sources said.

The Attorney General is appearing for the State. Mr. H.L.de Silva, PC, is appearing for the President.

The SC sought written submissions last week from both parties before its determination would be made available to the President on Tuesday under seal, legal sources said.

Meanwhile, the Law Minister in the United National Front Government of Sri Lanka, Mr.W.J.M.Lokkubandara, who is also the leader of the house, Monday wrote to the Speaker that he would raise a matter of privilege in parliament when it resumed its sitting Thursday, saying that the facts submitted in the Supreme Court by the President was a serious violation of parliamentary privilege.

The supremacy of parliament has been subjected to disrepute in presenting facts to the Supreme Court last week in regard to decisions taken by the Defense minister on certain security matters when an inquiry was held into the application by the President seeking clarification from the SC about her powers vested with her by the constitution, the UNF government spokesman said.

The general secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, chief constituent of the main opposition People’s Alliance, Mr.Maitripala Sirisena, said Monday the attempt by the UNF government to move an impeachment motion on the Chief Justice should be condemned as it “was tantamount to frightening the judiciary at a time when the Supreme Court was expected to send its determination in a case filed by President about her powers regarding the security of the country,” sources said.

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