The Supreme Court today granted leave to proceed with a Fundamental Rights petition filed by the Centre for Environmental Justice against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and several others.
The petition challenges the sale of Eppawala phosphate by Lanka Phosphate Limited to three private companies at prices allegedly far below the prevailing world market rate, causing significant financial losses to the government.
According to the petition, on July 6, 2023, Lanka Phosphate Limited sent a letter to the Additional Secretary (Primary Industries) of the Ministry of Industries, announcing its decision to sell 10,000 metric tons of Eppawala Rock Phosphate (ERP) to selected companies, based on requests made by those companies. The letter also recommended the issuance of export licenses for the same quantity, despite the company having no legal authority to make such recommendations.
The communication further sought coordination with the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) to issue the necessary permits. The companies involved in the proposed arrangement are D.M. Traders, Disaru International Engineering Company, and Ichiban (Pvt) Limited.
The petitioners have named the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Cabinet Ministers of the former government, and several others as respondents.
