Court halts SL Scout Council AGM

• The disqualification of the nomination of Albert seemed to be contrary to the regulations of 
• the Council

By Susitha Fernando

The Colombo District Court last Wednesday issued an enjoining order preventing The Sri Lanka Scout Council from conducting its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the election which was scheduled to be held on July 25.   

District Judge Amali Ranaweera made this order following a plaint filed by the former President of the Council P.D.R.L.Albert who had handed over nominations to contest for the post of President 2010/2021. He had cited The Sri Lanka Scout Council, its President Ananda Kumara Melpitiya, Secretary T. R. Rajavasan and M.G.A.Gunatillake as defendants.   

Filing the plaint P.D.R.L.Albert had informed court that his name was proposed and seconded for the post of President by two members Anton Seth Perera and Ruwan Ariyaratne respectively and the latter had handed in nominations on his behalf on July14.  The plaintiff, Albert, a Life Member of The Sri Lanka Scout Council had become a scout in 1956. He also had earlier held the post of President in  2012/2013 and was Vice President in 2004,2007 and 2013. 

On July15, The Committee Chairman of the Council Ananda Kumara Melpitiya had announced that the defendant M.G.A. Gunatilake had been appointed as the President of The Sri Lanka Scout Association uncontested.   
The Plaintiff Mr. Albert challenged the move to disqualify his nomination for the post of President and complained that the alleged appointment of Mr. Gunatilake as an uncontested appointee was unlawful.   

Following the submission made by Counsel Jaliya Bodhijagoda instructed by Mallawarachchi Associates on behalf of the plaintiff, the District judge observed that the disqualification of the nomination of Mr. Albert seemed to be contrary to the regulations of the Council.