The Supreme Court, on the 20th, ordered that a Fundamental Rights Petition filed by Jamuni Kamantha Thushara, Chairman of the Citizens’ Organization Against Bribery and Corruption, be taken up for consideration on March 27. The petition seeks a ruling that the acquisition of media institutions in Sri Lanka by Lyca Mobile Company has violated his fundamental human rights and requests an order to return the acquired properties to the government.
The case was brought before a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justices Gamini Amarasekara, Kumuduni Wickramasinghe, and Sobitha Rajakarana. After reviewing the facts presented, the bench decided to call the petition on March 27 for further confirmation of the claims.
The petition names several entities as respondents, including the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, the Secretary to the Ministry of Telecommunications, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the Bribery Commission, and other relevant parties.
According to the petitioner, Lyca Mobile has unlawfully acquired multiple media institutions, including the EAP Media Network. The petition further alleges that these acquisitions were conducted in violation of national laws and constitute an offense under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
Additionally, the petitioner argues that the actions of Lyca Mobile pose a threat to national security. He requests the court to recognize that his fundamental human rights have been violated and to issue an order directing the Bribery Commission to investigate the process of these media acquisitions.
Furthermore, the petition calls for a directive to the government to reclaim the properties in Sri Lanka that were acquired by the company in question.
President’s Counsel Uditha Igalahewa represents the petitioner, while a legal team, including President’s Counsel Sanjay Rajaratnam, appears on behalf of the respondent company.
