Two Fundamental Rights petitions filed seeking an order to invalidate the Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) recently signed between Sri Lanka and India were fixed for June 12 by the Supreme Court yesterday (June 05).
The FR petitions were filed by a group of petitioners including President of the Patriotic National Movement Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekara and Treasurer of Vinivida Foundation – Sunil Jayasundara.
When the case was taken up by a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Achala Wengappuli and Menaka Wijesundera, Senior Counsel Kanishka Witharana sought the earliest possible date to support the application, citing its urgency and national significance.
The Attorney General, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and members of the Cabinet have been named as respondents.
The petitioners claim the MoUs violate the constitution and international law, alleging it was signed without Parliament’s approval, with particulars kept from the public, undermining national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In addition to seeking an interim injunction preventing the MoUs from being executed after ruling that their fundamental rights have been violated, the petitioners also sought Rs.02 million in compensation from the respondents.
Several MoUs between India and Sri Lanka, including defence cooperation, were exchanged on April 05 at the Presidential Secretariat in the presence of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
