Leasing Hambantota land to China: SC fixes hearing for 11 Jan.

By S.S. Selvanayagam

The Supreme Court yesterday fixed for 11 January 2018 the fundamental rights petition filed by Dr. T. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan, along with two other similar petitions against the leasing of land in Hambantota to China.

The bench comprised Chief Justice Priyasath Dep and Justices B.P. Aluvihara and Vijith K. Malalgoda.

The Attorney General on 29 May 2017 had moved for time to obtain instructions from the new Minister of Ports and Shipping Mahinda Samarasinghe.

The petitioner cited the Prime Minister, Minister of Ports and Shipping and the Finance Minister as well as the Members of the Cabinet, Members of the Cabinet Appointed Negotiating Committee, State-owned corporates of China namely China Merchants Port and China Communications, the Speaker, Members of the Constitutional Council and the Attorney General as respondents.