A dramatic legal intervention has stalled the Sri Lanka Scouts Council’s planned election after a court issued a restraining order over claims that a special general meeting was secretly arranged without informing all council members.
Gangodawila Additional District Judge Suranga Munasinghe has issued an interim restraining order preventing the special general meeting of the Sri Lanka Scouts Council scheduled to be held on March 14, 2026, which was intended to elect the new office bearers for the 2026 to 2027 term.
The case was filed by Mahagammulage Pushpa Kumara, who is contesting as a candidate for the executive committee in the upcoming Sri Lanka Scouts Council election.
The plaintiff alleged before the court that the current secretary of the council, Sujeewa Jayawardena, had not properly informed all members of the council when calling the special general meeting. Instead, he had allegedly notified only a selected group of members, thereby secretly organizing the meeting and limiting participation in the election process.
The respondents named in the case are Sri Lanka Scouts Chief Commissioner Lasantha Manoj Nanayakkara, Sri Lanka Scouts President Ransiri Perera, Secretary Sujeewa Jayawardena, and Executive Committee Chairman Thushara Sumanasekara.
The plaintiff further alleged that the actions of the respondents were in violation of the provisions of the Sri Lanka Scouts Incorporation Act No. 13 of 1957 as well as the established rules and governance procedures of the Sri Lanka Scouts Council.
Lawyers appearing for the plaintiff informed the court that the alleged illegal conduct of the respondents was causing serious damage to the integrity and reputation of the entire Sri Lanka Scout movement.
They emphasized that the situation sets a troubling example, especially for school children and young members who are actively involved in the scouting movement and are expected to follow principles of fairness, transparency, and discipline.
After reviewing the facts and legal submissions presented before the court, the judge issued the interim injunction order. The order will remain effective until March 27, 2026 and prevents the holding of an election through a general meeting or any attempt to conduct such a meeting in violation of the council rules.
The order also prevents the calling of special general meetings without properly informing all members of the Sri Lanka Scouts Council and requires that letters of authority be issued to all officially appointed members before any meeting or election process is conducted.
Senior Counsel Chandima Weerakkody and Attorney at Law Asvida Benedict appeared on behalf of the plaintiff on the instructions of Attorney at Law Niluka Pathirage.
