SC grants leave to proceed with FR petitions filed against Gota and others over the economic crisis.

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, and Cabinet of Ministers members who were serving in the Cabinet at the time of the allegedly impugned decisions were named as respondents in petitions.

The Supreme Court had earlier decided to name former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as a respondent in the petitions since presidential immunity does not apply to him following his resignation from the post of President.

The Supreme Court five-judge-bench comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justice Buveneka Aluvihare, Justice Vijith Malalgoda, Justice Murdu Fernando, and Justice L.T.B. Dehideniya granted leave to proceed for violation of fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 12(1) and Article 14 of the constitution.

Three university academics, Sri Lankan swimmer and coach Julian Bolling, former Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chandra Jayaratne, Transparency International, and Jehan Canaga Retna filed these petitions urging authorities to take legal action against the main culprits responsible for the current economic crisis.

The petitioners had named 39 individuals, including former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, former Secretary to the President P.B. Jayasundara, former Governors of the Central Bank Ajith Nivard Cabraal and W.D. Lakshman, former Ministry of Finance Secretary S.R. Atygalle, and the Cabinet of Ministers as respondents.