A landmark fundamental rights petition over Cyclone Ditwah has forced Sri Lanka’s Cabinet and disaster authorities to answer before the Supreme Court, as claims of negligence and human rights violations take center stage.
The Supreme Court has ordered the Cabinet of Ministers and the National Disaster Management Committee to present facts in connection with a petition alleging that the fundamental rights of the public were violated due to failures in handling the disaster caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
The petition was taken up for consideration before Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Supreme Court Justice Achala Vengappuli, who directed the respondents to appear in court on July 15 to clarify the circumstances surrounding the disaster response.
President’s Counsel Upul Jayasuriya appeared on behalf of the petitioner, while Senior State Counsel Britha Ahmed presented submissions for the government.
The petition has been filed by Mr. Keerthi Bandara Kiridena, a lawyer based in Kandy, who has named the President, acting through the Attorney General, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, the Cabinet of Ministers, and the National Disaster Management Committee as respondents.
According to the petitioner, authorities failed to properly inform the public before releasing water from the Kotmale Reservoir, resulting in severe flooding and damage in Kandy, Peradeniya, Galaha, and Gampola. He claims that his law office located near the Kandy Court Complex suffered extensive destruction, including the loss of valuable legal data systems, causing serious professional harm.
The petitioner further argues that the disaster was worsened by negligence on the part of responsible authorities and has urged the court to rule that these actions amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights and those of the wider public.
