(Lanka-e-News, January 13, 2009, 7.10 PM) The country will be in lawless state if the executive acts its own way, says Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva at the Supreme Court today (13).
The Chief Justice made this statement when a fundamental rights petition over the government disregarding the Supreme Court order to reduce the price of a liter of petrol to Rs. 100, an act that amounted to contempt of court, was considered. The petition was filed by Ven. Thiniyawala Palitha Thero, MP Ravi Karunanayaka and Counsel Ravi Jayawardhana.
The Chief Justice pointed out that under article 118 of the constitution, the Supreme Court is the superior court of the country and the executive is bound to bow its orders. If there is any problem regarding an order, the executive can forward it to the court and get the necessary amendments done, said the Chief Justice.
He further stated that the Supreme Court issued the ruling regarding hedging agreement since it violated the fundamental rights of the people of this country and the executive and the cabinet could not reject implementing the orders.
The Attorney General informed court that the Supreme Court order had been unable to be implemented so far.
The petitioners argued that the petition was ineffective in the context the government had not implemented the order, an act that amounted to contempt of court.
The Chief Justice ordered the Attorney General to file the objections, if there is any, before January 27 regarding reducing the price of petrol to Rs. 100 a liter.
Edited By - Berty - 13 Jan 2009 14:43:28 GMT |