FR petition filed challenging compensation allocation to ex-MPs for property damages

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   
A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking an order directing the authorities to conduct an investigation into the compensation payments made for damages caused to the properties during the attacks and violence carried out by groups of people on May 9, 2022.   
Attorney-at-law Dr. Ravindranath Dabare filed this petition naming former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Defence Secretary General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne, General (Retd) Shavendra Silva, former Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles and several others as respondents.   
The petitioner maintained that any compensation paid in relation to the incidents in question must be subject to a thorough and transparent investigation to ensure that such payments were distributed fairly, without favouritism, political affiliation, or any other undue influence.   
The petitioner states that he is gravely concerned that the Government has disbursed substantial public funds as compensation without taking adequate steps to identify and prosecute the perpetrators.   
The petitioner states that on or about February 5, 2025, Minister of Health and Government Spokesman, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, presented a report to Parliament, detailing compensation payments amounting to Rs. 1.22 billion made to 43 individuals, including certain politicians, for damages caused to their properties during illegal attacks and violence carried out by groups of wrongdoers on or around May 9, 2022.   
The petitioner stated that Dr. Jayatissa had accused former Members of Parliament of exploiting their influence to secure compensation payouts far exceeding standard compensation limits.