SC grants leave to proceed with FR challenging Lyca Group

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda

The Supreme Court yesterday granted leave to proceed with a Fundamental Rights Petition filed challenging Lyca Group indirectly/circuitously acquiring 11+ media, and broadcasting licenses.

This petition had been filed by social activist Jamuni Kamantha Thushara. The Petitioner has impugned that the Lyca Group has violated the law of Sri Lanka in acquiring the 11+ media and broadcasting licenses including the licenses formerly owned by EAP Group, and also has pointed out serious national security threats. The Supreme Court bench comprising of Justice Janak de Silva, Justice Menaka Wijesundara, and Justice Sampath Abeyakoon, granted leave to proceed with the petition. Subaskaran Allirajah, his wife Prematharshini Allirajah, Govindasamy Jeyaseelan, Niruthan Rajasundaram were among the 60 Respondents named in the Petition. President’s Counsel Uditha Egalahewa with Attorney-at-Law N.K.Ashokbharan appeared for the Petitioner.  Sanjay Rajaratnam PC, Shavendra Fernando PC, Chandaka Jayasundara PC, and Saliya Peiris PC appeared for several respondents.  Additional Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawardhana with Additional Solicitor General Viveka Siriwardena appeared for the Attorney General. The petition was fixed for argument on December 02, 2024.