Supreme Court grants leave to hear FR petitions over demolition of Soul Beach Hotel

Colombo, June 4 (Daily Mirror) - The Supreme Court today granted leave to proceed with three Fundamental Rights petitions challenging the legality of the demolition of Soul Beach (Pvt) Ltd., a beachside hotel in Dehiwala, as part of the former government’s Yukthiya anti-narcotics operation.

The hotel, which reportedly came under scrutiny over alleged links to narcotics trafficking, was demolished by authorities earlier last year, drawing controversy and public attention.

When the matter was taken up for leave to proceed, Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justices A.H.M.D. Nawaz, Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Sampath Wijeratne granted leave to proceed with the three Fundamental Rights petitions in terms of Article 12(1), 14 (1)g and 13(1) of the Constitution. The petitions were fixed for argument on January 26 next year.

Sanjeewa Jayawardena, PC, with Dr. Milhan Mohamed and Ranmalee Meepagala instructed by Pramodya Thilakarathne appeared for the employees and a Buddhist monk. Saliya Peiris, PC instructed by Manjula Balasooriya appeared for the hotel.