The Fundamental Rights petition filed challenging the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers to allow former President Maithripala Sirisena to use the residence at Paget Road has been reserved for judgement by the Supreme Court.

Accordingly, the Supreme Court will deliver its judgement regarding this case in due course.

A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justices Priyantha Jayawardena, Gamini Amarasekara, and Kumuduni Wickremasinghe concluded the arguments put forward by both the petitioner and respondent parties.

On March 29, the Supreme Court issued an interim order suspending the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers to allow former President Maithripala Sirisena to continue use of the residence used by him at Paget Road.

This order will be effective until the final determination of this fundamental rights petition.

The Supreme Court made this order pursuant to a fundamental rights petition filed by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) and its Executive Director, Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu.

The petitioner alleged that it is wrong for the Cabinet of Ministers to decide on the benefits of a retiring President before he ceases to hold office. The petitioner also claimed that the cabinet decision was made in violation of the law’s established procedure.

The Supreme Court had earlier granted leave to proceed with this application in terms of Article 12(1) of the constitution.