The Supreme Court has reserved its decision on the Fundamental Rights petition filed against the Cabinet of Ministers’ decision to allow former President Maithripala Sirisena to use the residence at Paget Road.
As a result, the Supreme Court will issue its decision in this case in due course.
The Supreme Court’s three-judge bench, comprised of Justices Priyantha Jayawardena, Gamini Amarasekara, and Kumuduni Wickremasinghe, concluded the petitioner and respondent parties’ arguments.
On March 29, the Supreme Court issued an interim order suspending the Cabinet of Ministers’ decision to allow former President Maithripala Sirisena to continue using his Paget Road residence.
This order will be in effect until the outcome of this Fundamental Rights petition is determined.
The Supreme Court issued this decision in response to a Fundamental Rights petition filed by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) and its Executive Director, Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu.
The petitioner claimed that it is improper for the Cabinet of Ministers to decide on a retiring President’s benefits before he leaves office. The petitioner also claimed that the cabinet decision was made in violation of the law’s established procedure.
The Supreme Court had previously granted permission to proceed with this application under Article 12(1) of the constitution.