The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for January 31 to consider the fundamental rights petition filed by Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith. The petition seeks an order to prevent the appointment of Deshabandu Thennakoon as the Acting Inspector General of Police.
During the hearing before a three-member Supreme Court bench, Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle presented facts on behalf of the Attorney General. He informed the court that two additional petitions related to the matter would also be considered on January 31 and requested that Cardinal's petition be heard on the same day.
President's counsel Romesh De Silva, representing Deshabandu Thennakoon, mentioned that he received notice of the case the day before the hearing. Consequently, the court decided to set a date for the consideration of the petition on January 31.
The petition further highlights recommendations against Thennakoon by the presidential commission that investigated the Easter attacks. Additionally, it alleges that Thennakoon failed to take preventive measures against an attack on Gota Go village in Galle Face Green.
Based on these claims, Cardinal urges the Supreme Court to issue an order preventing Thennakoon from being appointed as the Inspector General of Police, citing potential serious challenges to the rule of law. The court will now examine the merits of the petition on the scheduled date.
