The Attorney General has urged the Court of Appeal to suspend further actions concerning the transfer of shares in Sri Lanka Telecom and Lanka Hospitals, citing concerns over potential adverse effects on the national economy. The request, made during the hearing of two writ petitions submitted by Lyca Mobile S.A.R.L. and Pitigo Comerico International Company on behalf of Sri Lanka Telecom, Lyca Leasing Holding Company and Himes International Company on behalf of Lanka Hospitals, seeks to dismiss the petitions without a hearing until March 12.
Additional Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawardena, representing the Attorney General, emphasized that interim injunctions issued about these petitions could have detrimental impacts on the country’s economic stability. Dharmawardena further highlighted the submission of an amended petition without court approval, asserting that such actions contravene court rules and therefore warrant dismissal at the initial stage.
During the proceedings, President’s counsel Faizer Mustapha, representing Minister of State for Finance Shehan Semasinghe, argued against the court’s jurisdiction in hearing the petitions, particularly regarding personal allegations against the President. Mustapha requested the tribunal to dismiss the petitions outright.
The court adjourned further deliberations until the following Monday when President’s Counsel Kuvera De Soyza is expected to present arguments on behalf of the petitioners. The petitions, filed by lawyer Sanath Wijewardena on behalf of the petitioner companies, contest the rejection of their applications for the transfer of government-owned shares in Sri Lanka Telecom and Lanka Hospitals by the Cabinet Committee on Restructuring of Public Enterprises, alleging arbitrariness and unfairness in the decision-making process.
Respondents named in the petitions include Finance Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe, State Minister for Finance Shehan Semasinghe, members of the Cabinet Sub-Committee for the restructuring of public enterprises, and the Attorney General.
