The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka today refused to grant leave to proceed with the Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions that were filed challenging the agreement pertaining to the Yugadanavi power plant in Kerawalapitiya.
Initially, FR petitions were filed by the Ven. Elle Gunawanse Thero, the Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya party, and several trade unions against the deal.
Thereafter, FR petitions were filed by Government Ministers Wimal Weearwansa, Udaya Gammanpila, and Vasudeva Nanayakkara against the agreement.
In their objections, the three Ministers had pointed out that the Finance Minister had not presented a Cabinet paper on the matter during a Cabinet meeting.
Stating that the tender process had already been announced for the project, they said attempts underway to give the contract to a company that had not applied through the process was a violation of the law.
The FR petitions were filed after the Government had signed an agreement to sell 40% of the Yugadanavi power plant to New Fortress Energy Ltd. of the USA.
Several parties, including the opposition and allied parties of the Government, have repeatedly raised concerns over the deal.
Taking up for consideration the FR petitions today, the Supreme Court has refused to grant leave to proceed with the petitions. (NewsWire)