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Supreme Court rules 2022 emergency declaration by Ranil unconstitutional
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Colombo, July 23 (Daily Mirror) - The Supreme Court, in a majority decision, has ruled that the proclamation issued by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe declaring a State of Emergency in 2022—while he was serving as Acting President—violated fundamental rights.
Several petitioners, including former Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, Ambika Satkunanathan, filed the petitions challenging the validity of Emergency Regulation No. 1 of 2022, which was published in the Gazette Extraordinary dated 17 July 2022.
Comments - 50
Comments - Supreme Court rules 2022 emergency declaration by Ranil unconstitutional
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Dinesh Wednesday, 23 July 2025 11:53 AM
Ok. so was firmenting the climate to create anarchy was fine by the bench ?
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Realistica Adams Wednesday, 23 July 2025 01:08 PM
There was no anarchy, dictatorship
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Insider Wednesday, 23 July 2025 01:28 PM
That is not the point. There are set rules in the Constitution. Though the sole discretion in issuing a Proclamation declaring a state of emergency is vested in the President. But this must be communicated forthwith to Parliament, which must be summoned for the purpose. The President is empowered to issue a Proclamation that is valid for a period of one month, although he may revoke it earlier. But Parliament must approve it by a resolution within fourteen days. If Parliament does not approve the Proclamation within fourteen days, then it expires. Any continuation of a state of emergency is subject to the approval of Parliament. Anything else is contestable.
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Dr Soori Maripalan Wednesday, 23 July 2025 02:37 PM
Everyone knows the truth. The reality of a third world failed state is the message to genuine investors.
1 1
Gnana Akka Wednesday, 23 July 2025 02:42 PM
There was no anarchy at that stage. Ranil had been sworn in as President and there was a functioning cabinet. The protest site did not have any hindrance on their function or public safety. The protestors had already agreed to vacate the secretariat and other public buildings the same day. Sri Lankans have the right to protest and to assembly. You may not respect your own rights but many of us cherish it and that's why we were able to save our country from a madman (Gota) who thought the army, temple and a sorceress called gnana akka were the best advisors on how to run a country. The protest site would have inevitably dismantled anyway because Ranil delivered results and stabilised the economic paralysis we were in. However even he must be held accountable for illegal thuggery using the state machinery for his personal grudge.
6 1
M Fernando Wednesday, 23 July 2025 03:22 PM
It just proves that despite RW's self advertised reputation of being oh-so-smart and such a supreme "statesman", he was really just another Radala incompetent who felt he deserved the post and subsequently took the path of least resistance .. Emergency and IMF.
5 2
stfup Wednesday, 23 July 2025 03:26 PM
What he failed to do was ordering an investigation, leading to arresting and prosecuting those who made people to rebel against the then government corruption - maybe because he was very much a part of it.
1 24
Rogue Wednesday, 23 July 2025 05:57 PM
Is your real name Ranil Rajapaksa?
4 4
mohamed Thursday, 24 July 2025 12:52 AM
Well said, This clown have to pay the price for what he did to the innocent people and to the country.He should be locked up for life, hope this will happen! Some of the comments are not all realistic. Every one in the country knows that this clown does not deserve any form of credit, should be locked up. He ruined the country with the rest of the rouges who destroyed this beautiful country.
1 0
Aquarius Wednesday, 23 July 2025 12:03 PM
This is one of many unconstitutional decisions he made.
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Raven Wednesday, 23 July 2025 12:27 PM
Whatever anyone says I'm glad and grateful for Ranil for doing what he did then during those very difficult times in Sri Lanka. In fact he called up the ambassadors and high commissioners immediately after and explained to them why he did that.
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Realistica Adams Wednesday, 23 July 2025 01:09 PM
Unconstitutional actions deserves punishment.
3 2
Observer Wednesday, 23 July 2025 02:04 PM
I can kill a person and tell others , I did it because this person intended to kill me!! Same thing.
4 1
Rogue Wednesday, 23 July 2025 06:00 PM
Ranil is not above the constitution to violate peoples rights.
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Democracy Wednesday, 23 July 2025 12:28 PM
This means that when a group of unruly persons attempt to take over the Parliament and burn it down, destroy public and private assets, etc., is it that the government in power should simply brood and gawp and let them do whatever they want? This means that even for current president, if there are mass scale protests in the country impacting the lives of the innocent bystanders, he simply has to allow the protests to continue(?) How can you govern a country like this?
229 112
Realistica Adams Wednesday, 23 July 2025 01:14 PM
SC is the judge, not lose cannons like you.
2 2
Rogue Wednesday, 23 July 2025 06:05 PM
You govern the country under the conditions laid out in the constitution. Violation of peoples rights is not an acceptable option by anyone.
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Working hard to change people's opinion Wednesday, 23 July 2025 08:54 PM
Just look at the amount of dislikes you've got. It's weird. Isn't it? Isn't that proof enough that an anti Ranil paid gang is working hard here to change people's opinion? Pathetic indeed.
2 4
Yohan Wednesday, 23 July 2025 12:30 PM
If not for emergency declaration the country would be in a blood bath. How many died and got injured, how many properties were burnt and destroyed, how many vehicles were damaged, how many robbed items using aragalaya as an excuse, some jvp guys such as Hadun wanted to destroy the parliament, SC would have being next in the list. Luckily these jokers were not holding positions during 1971,1988 and also during Ltte war times. One should investigate the background of two of the officials and their families here to see if they have any connection to terrorism. Also president has the power to do so and SC does not have any authority to challenge that to be honest. Many decades back Sarath Silva told to reduce the petrol price but it was not done by president as it was beyond Sc powers.
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Realistica Adams Wednesday, 23 July 2025 01:12 PM
For Pasha Yohan any unconstitutional action to keep abusive, corrupt rulers in power is justifiable. Go hide now.
1 2
Suhada malli Wednesday, 23 July 2025 01:18 PM
Justice Murdhu Fernando is only interpreting the law. Dont look at it personally. As a nation we should be happy that we had a crazy daring old man with brains who didn't think of himself and put the nations first. Many hero's paid a price. In this instance Ranil also paid a heavy price but the nation is saved. Sadly the law cannot differentiate their interpretations. If a vehicle travels on the worng side of the road to rush a patient to hospital, if the police charge the driver he is guilty how ever good his intentions were. This judgement will make it difficult for the next govt to take tough measures to save the nation when the next aragalaya happens. We will be like Bangladesh.
2 5
Rogue Wednesday, 23 July 2025 06:10 PM
Mr Batalanda only knows one way, that is to violate human rights. Ranil Rajapaksa has no regard for the constitution, the law or Supreme Court judgments
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john frazer Wednesday, 23 July 2025 12:40 PM
if we did emergency was not declared during the period 1970/1988/2022 country would hve been like south sudan. any one who does not abide by the law of the country this is the best solution. Today NPP/JVP will do the same .
0 2
Angna Kouross Thursday, 24 July 2025 10:05 AM
Unfortunately, everyone who ruled the country and their henchmen never gave a sthicht about the laws of the land. And you want the masses to abide by the law? Fools can also be jokers!
0 0
Chandadasa Wednesday, 23 July 2025 12:55 PM
In 2005 he wanted to be Parakkramabahu but his political opponents fancied him as Kawantissa and made his opponent Dutugamunu. Although I won"t vote for him in future election his critics make way for him to power without mandate. This is Sri Lanka, beloved motherland.
0 0
Aragalaya was the need of the time Wednesday, 23 July 2025 01:22 PM
Aragalaya was the struggle to chase an inefficient Government run by an ignorant President who has no idea what democracy is. It was peaceful from the fact that heads of armed forces refused to use force to quench the struggle. GR ran away from the island seeking refuge to come back to power, but was refused asylum by more than one country. The courts is aware of the ground situation. Why are some people try to paint a different picture?
2 0
Operation Successful patient Died Wednesday, 23 July 2025 01:25 PM
Did we have some puppets from the AGs office defending the government? NGOs and Diaspora will be very happy but not the majority of the intelligent people who acknowledge the situational correctness of those hard decisions RW took. He had to run the country with the bunch of crooks the very people of this country democratically elected to parliament. Those same voters this time around voted for Malimawa! If a govt toppling situation in the country was not an Emergency, nothing else will be one as well in the future.
1 14
Rathnavali Wednesday, 23 July 2025 10:34 PM
Yes, it is obvious that AG's department allowed the Petitioners to get away with their version without fighting for the President's right to have used Emergency rule during a period of anarchy. Judges give a judgment based on the arguments presented in court and on the written submissions of parties. One judge gave a dissenting judgment disagreeing with the views of the other 2 judges. That itself indicates that there was a conflict of opinion among the judges. That, with the AG's department intentional avoidance of a proper submission led to the highly questionable judgment which will someday tie the hands of a sitting President if another crisis such as that happened in 2022 takes place again. Sad state of affairs!
0 3
Big Sam Wednesday, 23 July 2025 01:29 PM
Fine time to make this verdict!
1 0
Liberatiuns Wednesday, 23 July 2025 01:53 PM
One took up a DPL positions. There are many more eyeing these lucrative plums when they are tired.
0 1
Nutella butter Wednesday, 23 July 2025 01:55 PM
They are many DPL plums hanging around for picking when tired
0 1
Sokrates Wednesday, 23 July 2025 02:17 PM
A correct and sound decision. Not every president with dictatorial tendencies can declare a state of emergency simply because it suits them, thereby restricting the constitution. The constitution is the highest good a country has. All situations at that time could have been dealt with without declaring a state of emergency. This was only about maintaining and expanding the power of a man who had not even been elected by the people. I hope there is a law that puts a president or minister who breaks the constitution or other laws behind bars. Meanwhile, it is almost impossible to count the crimes Ranil has committed.
5 0
Jega Wednesday, 23 July 2025 02:20 PM
Whatever said and done it is Ranil who saved the entire nation and because of that we are still alive and enjoy democracy.
1 4
johan Wednesday, 23 July 2025 02:21 PM
Ranil who is a person always preach but he does not practice and he is more undemocratic and not trustworthy
3 0
A de Herft Wednesday, 23 July 2025 02:32 PM
This is amazing. If Ranil did not do that, anarchy could have continued, plumetting the economy into a deeper crisis; there wouldn't have been funds even for the presidential and parliament elections held subsequently.
0 4
RanjithT Wednesday, 23 July 2025 02:42 PM
At this rate country will end up in anarchy. Constitution gives the authority to declare emergency but president must get the approval of the parliament within one month from the date of declaration of the emergency. Are we going crazy?
0 3
Don Wednesday, 23 July 2025 02:49 PM
By looking at these comments, it is obvious people have no idea about laws. People are sovereign. They appoint parliament representatives. They have the right to withdraw their consent. When it is displayed, representatives should resign. When that does not happen, people will go to next level defying unlawful emergency laws. That is people’s right. If people didn’t do this, we would have still under Rajapaksha regime.
3 1
roobarbie Wednesday, 23 July 2025 02:54 PM
This simply proves that Batalanda Rani was a brute and dictator in my opinion.
6 1
Revan Joseph Sicily Wednesday, 23 July 2025 03:40 PM
Excellent ruling by the judiciary. The law is upheld. RW was an unelected President who went beyond a mandate that was never given by the people but by an orchestrated group of parliamentarians who hand to fulfill the wishes of the Rajapakses. They also needed a person who would take orders to protect their corrupt ways. RW was their perfect appointee.
10 1
Dr Tissa Fernando Wednesday, 23 July 2025 03:40 PM
Looks like Diaspora money is at work. Let us give them right to bear arms so they have the right to shoot others , of course fundamental right, correct?
29 4
Dr Soori Maripalan Wednesday, 23 July 2025 04:36 PM
Satan JRJ deprived the human rights of SIRIMA due to a similar reason. Thendeprive his right and confiscate all allowances and Pin Padi!
3 0
Anthony Wednesday, 23 July 2025 05:05 PM
If he had not done the emergency declaration, we would have not had country to call our own, and for NPP to come into power. I agree with the comments made and appreciate that at least certain people accept and agree what he did to save this country.
17 21
Lal Wednesday, 23 July 2025 05:24 PM
Ranil has consistently acted like a dictator, making decisions primarily to maintain his grip on power—both within his party and in government. His authoritarian approach led to the complete downfall of the UNP, driving away many senior members and ultimately fracturing the party. The Yahapalanaya government collapsed largely due to his failure to work fairly with coalition partners. He played a leading role in pushing privatization agendas and placing his close associates in key government positions, contributing significantly to the country’s economic decline. As one of the main figures responsible for bankrupting the nation and worsening the people's suffering, he should be held accountable, including the suspension of his civil rights.
7 2
Christo255 Wednesday, 23 July 2025 05:32 PM
He saved the country at that time. If not for emergency rule we would not have any rules at all. Woe the decision.
0 8
Rajesthan Wednesday, 23 July 2025 06:22 PM
However RANIL has the experience of burning down the Jaffna Library.
3 6
Susil Kannangara Wednesday, 23 July 2025 06:31 PM
Why can't they take legal action?
0 1
TJ Wednesday, 23 July 2025 06:41 PM
Can anyone suggest a remedial alternative considering the situation prevailed at that time. One can not always go by the constitution to control unruly elements in the society.
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Palitha Wednesday, 23 July 2025 06:58 PM
If not for the action taken by Ranil ast that juncture the country would have descended to anarchy. If not for that there wouldn't have been elections in 2024 or a country for the present rulers to govern. Same should be said about the actions of the head of state in 1971 and 88/89. Armchair pundits can say whatever - but what had to be done had to be done. Ranil' didn't kill anyone in controlling the anarchists and rescuing the pillars of a democratic state from them.
1 5
Lalindra Wednesday, 23 July 2025 07:04 PM
Provisions in the emergency law in Sri Lanka is draconian like arresting people without a warrant and iincarcerating for unspecified periods without access to justice. This is a stark reminder to rulers they must not use such powers inconsiderately.
8 6
King Kekille Thursday, 24 July 2025 08:14 AM
Malima Government offered the Chief Justice position to the Judge who gave the guilty verdict to Deshabandu Thennakoon. Now Supreme Court rules 2022 emergency declaration was unconstitutional. Everyone can see how the Justice System is becoming politicized.
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