Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya has nominated a fuller bench comprising five judges of the Supreme Court to hear several Fundamental Rights petitions filed challenging the agreements on Yugadanavi power plant.
Accordingly, these petitions will be heard before a five-judge-bench comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare, Justice Priyantha Jayawardena, Justice Vijith Malalgoda and Justice L.T.B. Dehideniya on November 29.
When these petitions were called before Supreme Court three-judge-bench headed by Justice Murdu Fernando, the court was informed that the Attorney General would not appear for three cabinet Ministers Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila and Wasudewa Nanayakkara since they have retained a private counsel, President’s Counsel Uditha Egalahewa.
Taking into account the national importance of these petitions, the Attorney General had sought a fuller bench comprising five judges or more judges of the Supreme Court to hear these petitions in terms of the Article 132(3) of the constitution.
Samagi Jana Balawegaya General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) former Parliamentarians Sunil Hadunneththi and Wasantha Samarasinghe, Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith and Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thera have already filed Fundamental Rights petitions challenging the agreements entered between the Government of Sri Lanka and New Fortress Energy Inc in relation to the sale of 40% of the shares of Yugadanavi power plant in Kerawalapitiya to a US company.
The petitioners had named Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Cabinet of Ministers, New Fortress Energy Inc, West Coast Power (Private) Limited, Ceylon Electricity Board, Attorney General and several others as respondents in the petition.
The petitioners said on 7th of July 2021, the framework agreement was signed between the government of Sri Lanka and New Fortress Energy Inc for the disposal of 40% of the total shares held at the West Coast Power (Private) Limited by Yugadanavi (Pvt) Ltd.
The petitioners further said agreements had been further entered for the execution of the Terminal Project which includes Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU), Mooring system and the Pipelines, and the supply of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to West Coast Power (Pvt) Ltd.
The Petitioners state that to the best of their knowledge, the Share Sales and Purchase Agreement (SSPA) pertaining for the sale of 40% of the shares in West Coast Power (Pvt) Ltd. and the Gas Supply Agreements have not been placed before the Cabinet of Ministers to date.
The Petitioners state that bundling the contracts for the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal, construction of pipelines and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) supply in a single unsolicited proposal and awarding them to a foreign based company, without following a transparent procedure is an enormous threat to the national energy security.
They further said the proposal to purchase 40% of the shares in the West Coast Power (Private) Limited is contrary to the National Energy Policy and Strategies.
