The Human Rights Commission (HRCSL) has filed a contempt of court case before the Supreme Court citing the Power and Energy Ministry Secretary, Ceylon Electricity Board Chairman and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Managing Director and Chairman as respondents.

The HRCSL said the respondents failed to abide by the settlement arrived at before the Commission with regard to the continuous supply of power during the period pertaining to the 2022 Advanced Level Examination that got underway from 23 January to 17 February and charged that in particular, the CEB Chairman is guilty of the offence of contempt under the provisions of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Act No. 21 of 1996.

The Commission alleges that notwithstanding the settlement arrived by the above parties to provide uninterrupted electricity for the A/Level students during the period of the examination; the CEB wilfully and maliciously disregarded the settlement and continued with the power cuts.

The Human Rights Commission statement noted the settlement was to prevent power cuts only during the period of the A/Level Exam.

The Commission added it treats the disregard of the CEB to provide an uninterrupted electricity supply during the examination period as a gross violation of a child’s right to education.

The HRC alleges that having admitted before the Commission that there are meaningful ways to provide electricity, and settling on that basis, the CEB disregarded the assurance and proceeded with the power cut.

The Commission found the unbecoming and outrageous behaviour of the State officials of the CEB as an intentional affront to justice and contempt of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka.

Against this backdrop, the certificate of contempt has been duly signed by the Commission and forwarded to the Supreme Court and a case of Contempt of Court has been filed before the Supreme Court in this regard which will be taken up in the due course and relevant parties will be heard with the main view of providing relief to the A/L candidates.

The Commission also said it will closely observe the developments in this regard.

The Commission reiterated the position that the sole purpose of this intervention is only to ensure the rights of citizens and in particular that of the A/Level candidates are duly honoured and the Commission assures its continuous efforts in upholding the rule of law of the country and fundamental rights of its citizens.

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