Supreme Court lays –by SOFA case

  The Attorney General yesterday (12) informed the Supreme Court that since 2019, the government has not entered into any arrangements with relevant parties regarding the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). The Attorney General made these remarks when the four Fundamental Rights petitions filed against MCC, Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and, Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA), were taken up before the Supreme Court. On an earlier occasion, the Attorney General informed the Supreme Court that the government has decided not to sign the controversial Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact. The Attorney General told the court that the MCC board had also decided to discontinue the proposed MCC development assistance grant to Sri Lanka. President's Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardena appearing for one of the petitioners told the court that dangerous consequences could arise if the government signed the SOFA agreement. Having considered the submissions by both parties, Supreme Court decided to lay by the petitions while reserving petitioners' right to resume hearings if necessary. Four petitions, including Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) and Attorney-at-Law Darshana Weraduwage, Attorney-at-law Premanath C. Dolawatte, had filed these Fundamental Rights petitions naming President, Finance Minister and Cabinet of Ministers as respondents. In its petition, the GMOA sought for an interim order staying all approvals and decisions issued by anyone in respect of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact, Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and, Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA). Five petitioners representing the GMOA including, its President Dr Anuruddha Padeniya, filed this petition naming 38 respondents including, the Finance Minister and Cabinet of Ministers.