The Supreme Court today issued an interim order preventing former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa from leaving the country until July 28, without the prior approval of the Supreme Court.

Accordingly, a majority of a divided five-judge-Supreme Court bench decided to grant an interim order sought by the petitioners in a Fundamental Rights petition filed against several respondents including former Prime Minister and former Finance Minister.

Meanwhile, other respondents including former Central Bank Governor W.D. Lakshman and former Secretary to the Ministry of Finance S.R. Atygalle gave an undertaking through their lawyers that they will not leave the country until July 27. Former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal also informed the court that he would also not leave the country without the permission of the Supreme Court.

A five-judge-bench bench of the Supreme Court comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justice Buwaneka Aluwihare, Justice Priyantha Jayawardena, Justice Vijith Malalgoda and Justice L.T.B. Dehideniya fixed the petitions for support for leave to proceed on July 27.

In a motion, petitioners sought an interim relief preventing former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, former Central Bank Governors Ajith Nivard Cabraal, W.D. Lakshman and former Secretary to the Ministry of Finance S.R. Atygalle from leaving the country without the prior approval of the Supreme Court.

This motion had been filed in connection with a Fundamental Rights petition filed by Sri Lankan swimmer and coach Julian Bolling, former Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chandra Jayaratne, Transparency International and  Jehan Canaga Retna. In this petition, the petitioners seek an order to take legal action against those responsible for financial irregularities and mismanagement of the Sri Lanka economy.

The petitioners maintained that they have been reliably informed that some of the above respondents may leave the country and thereby avoid giving information sought by the petitioners and consequently prevent proper investigation.

The petitioners stated that irreparable loss, harm and prejudice would be caused to them and the citizens of Sri Lanka unless the court of the interim relief sought in the application is granted.

President’s Counsel Chandaka Jayasundere appeared on behalf of the petitioners. President’s Counsel Gamini Marapana with Navin Marapana PC appeared for the respondents

Senior Counsel Eraj de Silva appeared for Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe.

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