NPP to seek SC intervention over SUV imports

13 June 2021 02:03 pm - 20 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The National Peoples’ Power (NPP) said today they will be going to the Supreme Court next week against the moves to import 227 Prado SUVs for the MPs, claiming that it was illegal.

Former JVP Western Provincial Councillor Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala told a news conference that Letters of Credits (LCs) have been opened without Cabinet approval and that it was illegal.

He said the Cabinet Paper for the import of vehicles was presented on May 18 and added that the LCs had been opened on April 22.

“Cabinet Paper was presented on May 18 and it was rejected at the next Cabinet meeting on May 24. The Prime Minister said later that the Cabinet Paper was suspended. However, Cabinet Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said LCs have already been opened and it cannot be suspended now. These LCs were opened on April 22 by the Treasury Secretary through the Peoples Bank,” he said.

Mr. Watagala said the NPP was filing a case at the Supreme Court next week seeking an order to cancel the vehicle import.

“We will file the case based on two reasons. Firstly, we will point out that the move is illegal as LCs have been opened without Cabinet approval. Secondly, it is a violation of the Public Trust Doctrine to import vehicles when the country was badly in need of Covid vaccines and without funds to do it. According to the Public Trust Doctrine, the government is not the owners of the country but only custodians. The Court has ruled that in several cases such as in the Eppawala phosphate case and Senarath Vs Chandrika Kumaratunge case the Court has ruled that the government is only a custodian and cannot misuse power,” he said.

He asked if it was the Public Trust of the Government to import luxury vehicles when the people were without Covid vaccine and farmers are without fertilizer.

He also said they would seek in their petition either to cancel the LCs or sell the vehicles in public auction and transfer the funds to the treasury to be used for public wellbeing. (Ajith Siriwardana)

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Comments - 20

Yasin Sunday, 13 June 2021 02:19 PM

People are literally starving in Sri Lanka.. they have no food to eat, some are selling properties and jewelry to raise funds. Yet - these undeserving politicos are importing 200 luxury jeeps! What have they done in 70 years to deserve this? Our economy is bankrupt with just $4 billion in reserves, and have to pay $1 billion in next few months.. sigh..

The Old Fart Sunday, 13 June 2021 03:58 PM

Your situation is dire but ask yourself a question: Who voted these people into power? Until the common man realises what is going on, I'm sad to say you are doomed to more of the same misery.

warren Sunday, 13 June 2021 02:25 PM

Please do not waste your time. More importantly, we all know what the verdict would be. Once that decision is received, it would legitimise the importation of the vehicles in question. The story ends from there.

Upul Biyagamage Sunday, 13 June 2021 02:32 PM

Excellent. If import can not be cancelled they should be auctioned.

E Fernando Sunday, 13 June 2021 02:59 PM

yes, and who is in charge of the treasury? those funds will never be used for the people.

abc Sunday, 13 June 2021 03:01 PM

Good move JVP This corrupted family ruling has to end in this country with endorsement no matter how difficult plz move forward

mahi Sunday, 13 June 2021 03:29 PM

Its vital to punish culprits who involved.

Citizen Sunday, 13 June 2021 03:39 PM

Power is given not to enjoy, but to help the people. Good move to seek SC intervention. God bless !

Bernard Sunday, 13 June 2021 03:42 PM

If the government maintains that the Cabinet decision is supreme over any court decision if it is unfavourable to them, and they can easily convince the 6.9 million people as they have further consolidated their trust in the government and their cronies, acolytes etc, "Aiyo Sri Lanka what to do""?

roni Sunday, 13 June 2021 03:51 PM

Does not the law of the land supersede, the UCP under which letters of credit are governed. Hence the Courts may be able to overrule.

Lanka First Sunday, 13 June 2021 03:52 PM

People should not be playing politics with this issue at a time like this. Shame on JVP and their third grade followers.

Lanka Top Most Sunday, 13 June 2021 04:36 PM

To Lanka First: what do you mean by 'playing politics'??? Isnt it an issue that public are seriously concerned, when the country is struggling to find funds to pay the next installment of the loans taken; and people are starving; many have lost the jobs and no way to feed their families; Covid patients are struggling between life and death....

IGNATIUS RASIAH Sunday, 13 June 2021 05:06 PM

Isn't this the Government that went with a begging bowl asking ex-pats to send money to build foreign reserves?

Nimshara Sunday, 13 June 2021 06:04 PM

To Lanka first, if you call this third grade, i don't know which grade to call this government, Can you please change your name to SLPP first or Royal Family first instead of your our country name

Tom jones Sunday, 13 June 2021 07:01 PM

Why did the PM go and ask a loan of Dollars 200 million from Bangladesh. Is it t to buy the luxury cars. What a heartless set of people we have in this country. What is the Central Bank Governor doing.

Eper Sunday, 13 June 2021 07:13 PM

Since LC is irrevocable you cannot cancel.But if the importer and exporter consents they could allow the LC to expire without shipment.Corrosponding bank charges are minimal.But if the exporter insists on penalty/honouring the LC it's another question.

Joshua Sunday, 13 June 2021 07:42 PM

Thank You. well done

Peter Monday, 14 June 2021 11:34 AM

NPP, thanks ,we keep trust with our judiciary

Nihal Monday, 14 June 2021 02:38 PM

69 should be very happy !! “Api thamai hondhettame karey!! Lol

carl fernando Tuesday, 15 June 2021 12:09 AM

All of you are in the same boat.

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NPP to seek SC intervention over SUV imports

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