SC calls for fuel procurement and distribution plan

• Petitioners state they were compelled to come before Court due to the severe shortages in essential goods and services

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

The Supreme Court issued an order directing the Attorney General to formulate a plan after consulting relevant stakeholders regarding the procurement and distribution of fuel with the areas that should be given priority for fuel distribution.    The Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justices Vijith Malalgoda, Mahinda Samayawardena and Arjuna Obeysekera directed the Attorney General to submit this report before July 12.   

The Supreme Court made this order pursuant to two Fundamental Rights petitions filed by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) regarding the current economic crisis.   
On a previous occasion, the Supreme Court had granted leave to proceed with these two petitions.   
The Court granted leave to proceed in terms of Articles 11, 12(1), 13(4), 14(1)(g) (h) and 14A of the constitution.   
The BASL is seeking orders directing the Cabinet of Ministers to immediately consult with all the relevant stakeholders and independent experts to formulate and implement policies to provide uninterrupted access to provide concessions in relation to the prices of essential goods and services to the people including LP gas, fuel, electricity, milk powder, medicines and food.   

These petitions were filed by the President of the BASL Saliya Pieris PC, Deputy President Anura Meddegoda PC, former Secretary Rajeev Amarasuriya, Treasurer Rajindh Perera and the Assistant Secretary Pasindu Silva.   
The petitions state that the country is at present witnessing long queues for the purchase of essential supplies, mass protests and public unrest due to acute shortages and the sharp increase in the cost of goods and services including food, fuel and travel costs. The petitioners are complaining that Sri Lanka is currently facing an unprecedented economic and financial crisis resulting in acute shortages of fuel, electricity, gas, food, milk powder and medicines.    The petitioners stated that they were compelled to come before Court due to the severe shortages in essential goods and services that are considered vital for the survival and existence of the citizens in the country in whom is guaranteed the fundamental right to equality, equal protection of the law and the right to life under the Constitution.   

The petitioners have made the Attorney General, the Cabinet of Ministers, the Governor of the Central Bank, Secretary to the Treasury, Secretaries to several Ministries, the Ceylon Electricity Board, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and the State Pharmaceutical Corporation as Respondents.   

President’s Counsel Uditha Egalahewa, Counsel Suren Gnanaraj and G.G. Arulpragasam appeared for the petitioners.   

Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle appeared for the Attorney General.   

•  The Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justices Vijith Malalgoda, Mahinda Samayawardena and Arjuna Obeysekera directed the Attorney General to submit this report before July 12.