The National Bhikkhu Front today filed a Fundamental Rights application in the Supreme Court challenging the legality of the cabinet memorandum, authorising an Agreement with the Lanka Indian Oil Company PLC to jointly develop China Bay Oil Tank farm.
Secretary of National Bhikkhu Front Ven. Wakmulle Udhitha Thera filed this petition naming President Gotabaya Rajapaksa through the Attorney General, Cabinet of Ministers including Minister of Energy UdayaGammanpila, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, Trinco Petroleum Terminal (Pvt) Ltd, Lanka IOC PLC and several others as respondents.
The petitioner is further seeking a declaration that the purported Agreement said to be signed on 06th of January, 2022 between the respondent parties has no legal force.
Udhitha Thera states that, on 30th of December, 2021, he has received a copy of a letter said to be written by Minister Udaya Gammanpila to the Chairman of CPC dated 20th December, 2021 with regard to the need to establish a Company in the name and style “Trinco Petroleum Terminal Limited”, under the control of the CPC as said to be instructed by the President.
Udhitha Thera further states that thereafter on oraround 04th of January, 2022, he has seen a press briefing wherein Minister Gammanpilahas clearly stated that the cabinet of ministers has approved his memorandum with regard to the China Bay Oil Tank farm and has authorized to enter into an Agreement with the Lanka IOC to jointly develop or manage the Oil Tank Farm.
The Petitioner further states that in the evening of the 06th of January, 2022 he has come across a breaking news item which stated that a purported Agreement has been signed between the representatives of the Government of Sri Lanka and the Lanka IOC.
The petitioner is further seeking a declaration that the fundamental rights of all the citizenry of the Republic, duly guaranteed by the Constitution including Articles Article 12(1) have been violated by the respondents.
