SJB's petition against Treasury Secretary is to be heard on March 3

A Fundamental Rights petition filed by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary seeking an order preventing the Secretary to the Treasury and any other state official from withholding any funds allocated for the purpose of conducting local government polls in 2023 was today fixed for support on March 3 by the Supreme Court. SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara filed this petition, naming Secretary to the Treasury Mahinda Siriwardana, the Attorney General, the Election Commission Chairman and its members, and several others as respondents. President’s Counsel Upul Jayasuriya, appearing for the petitioner, raised objections against the Attorney General’s move to fix the petition for the month of May. Mr. Jayasuriya emphasized the importance of supporting this petition before March 9. Taking the facts into consideration, the Supreme Court's three-judge bench, comprising justices S. Thurairaja, Yasantha Kodagoda, and Priyantha Fernando, fixed the petition to be taken up for support on March 3. The petitioner is challenging alleged illegal and unlawful decisions of the Treasury Secretary to not provide adequate funds to the Election Commission for the purpose of conducting local authorities elections, in violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed to the petitioner and to all citizens of Sri Lanka by Articles 12(1) and 14(1)(a) of the Constitution, and in violation of their right to exercise their franchise guaranteed to them by Articles 03 and 04 of the Constitution. President’s Counsel Upul Jayasuriya appeared for the petitioner. Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle appeared for the Attorney General.