The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has ordered that a fundamental rights petition filed by Jamuni Kamantha Thushara, Chairman of the Citizens’ Organization Against Bribery and Corruption, be taken up on March 27, 2025. The petition seeks a ruling against the acquisition of media institutions by Lyca Mobile Company, claiming the acquisition violates fundamental human rights and requesting the government to take over the properties acquired by the company.
The case was heard on February 20, 2025, before a three-member bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justices Gamini Amarasekara, Kumuduni Wickramasinghe, and Sobitha Rajakarana. The bench, after reviewing the initial submissions, ordered the case to be called again on March 27 for further examination and confirmation of the facts presented.
The petition names several key institutions as respondents, including the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, the Secretary to the Ministry of Telecommunications, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the Bribery Commission, and other relevant government bodies. According to the petitioner, Lyca Mobile has illegally acquired multiple media institutions, including the EAP Media Network, one of Sri Lanka’s largest media conglomerates. The petition further alleges that the company’s acquisition process was carried out in violation of Sri Lankan laws, particularly the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The petitioner claims that these transactions pose a direct threat to national security, raising concerns about foreign influence over Sri Lankan media.
The petition requests the Supreme Court to declare that the petitioner’s fundamental rights have been violated due to the manner in which Lyca Mobile acquired media institutions. It further calls for an order directing the Bribery Commission to investigate the process through which the company obtained control over these media assets. Additionally, the petitioner seeks an order instructing the Sri Lankan government to take over and reclaim all properties acquired by Lyca Mobile in the country.
The legal representation in the case includes President’s Counsel Uditha Igalahewa appearing on behalf of the petitioner, while a legal panel led by President’s Counsel Sanjay Rajaratnam represents the respondent company, Lyca Mobile. The Supreme Court’s decision to schedule the hearing for March 27 marks a significant step in determining the legality of Lyca Mobile’s acquisitions and whether the Sri Lankan government has grounds to reclaim the properties. The case has garnered significant public and political attention, given the media sector’s influence and the broader implications of foreign corporate ownership in the country.
