Ex-Bribery Chief laments non-payment of arrears

By S.S Selvanayagam

The Supreme Court fixed yesterday (18) again re-fixed for hearing on the rights petitions of former Bribery Commissioners complaining of alleged anomalies and non-payment of their arrears of the increased salary.

The Bench comprised Chief Justice Shirani A. Bandaranayake, Justices N.G Amaratunga and K. Sripavan.

The Court has on 27 July, 2010 granted leave to proceed with the Petition for the alleged infringement of their fundamental right to equality and equal protection of the law. Petitioners are Justice Ameer Ismail (President) as well as other two Commissioners Justice Punyadasa and Indra de Silva (Retired IGP).  

They cited Director General Luckshmi Jayawickrema and Deputy Director (Finance) E.D Kumudu of the Bribery Commission as well as the President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunga, Director General (Budget) attached to the Finance Ministry Sudharma Karunaratne and the Attorney General as Respondents. Faisz Musthapha PC instructed by Gowry Shangary Thavarasha appeared for the Commissioners Justice Ameer Ismail and Justice Punyadasa. R.I Obeysekera PC appeared for Retired IGP Indra de Silva. Kalinga Indatissa with Rakhitha Abeygoonawardane appeared for the first two Respondents. Deputy Solicitor General Shavindra Fernando appeared for the Attorney General.