A shocking legal battle unfolds as Sri Lanka’s highest court moves forward with a case accusing former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and others of selling the nation’s phosphate reserves at dirt-cheap rates, a move that could have robbed the country of millions.
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 over the controversial sale of Eppawala phosphate.
The petition alleges that Lanka Phosphate Limited sold 10,000 metric tons of Eppawala Rock Phosphate (ERP) to three private companies—D.M Traders, Disaru International Engineering Company and Ichiban (Pvt) Limited—at prices far below global market rates, causing severe financial losses to the government.
On July 6, 2023, Lanka Phosphate Limited issued a letter to the Additional Secretary (Primary Industries) of the Ministry of Industries, recommending both the sale and the issuance of export licenses without proper legal authority. The letter also sought coordination with the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) to issue permits.
The petition names the GSMB, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Cabinet Ministers of the previous government, and several others as respondents. The case is being closely watched as it could expose major lapses in governance, misuse of state resources, and violations of environmental and economic rights.
