The Supreme Court today granted leave to proceed with a fundamental rights petition challenging the alleged misuse of electricity from the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), worth over Rs. 2 million, for MP Namal Rajapaksa’s wedding celebrations in 2019.
The order was given by Justices Preethi Padman Surasena and Achala Wengappuli when the case was taken up for hearing today.
It was revealed before the court that electricity had been used to illuminate a 1.5 km stretch of road leading to a private residence where the event was held, allegedly under the instructions of then Minister of Power Ravi Karunanayake, based on a request by MP D.V. Chanaka.
The petitioner argued that this constituted abuse of state power and corruption, especially since the payment was later made by Royalco Aqua Culture (Pvt) Ltd, a third party with no connection to the event.
Representing the CEB, it was stated that actions were taken based on received instructions, and that no bill was ever issued to the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, with a third party having settled the payment on his behalf.
After reviewing the facts, the court granted permission to proceed with the petition under Article 12(1) of the Constitution and scheduled the hearing for March 17, 2026. (Newswire)