By Yoshitha Perera 

Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasooriya yesterday appointed a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court (SC) to hear several fundamental rights petitions filed against Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA). 

The bench will be chaired by SC Judge Buwaneka Aluwihare while its other members include Justices L.T.B. Dehideniya, Murdhu Fernando, S.  Thurairaja and Gamini Amarasekara. 
Accordingly, three petitions filed by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), Attorney Darshana Weradurage and Ven. Angulugalle Siri Jinananda Thera will be considered by the bench on November 13. 

Earlier, President’s Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardena, appearing for GMOA, requested an order in terms of Article 132(3) of the Constitution, comprising five judges or more of the Supreme Court and headed by the Chief Justice to hear these petitions. 

In the petition, the GMOA requested an interim order for all approvals and decisions issued by any person with regard to MCC, SOFA and ACSA.