IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA In the matter of an application for mandates in the nature of Writs of Certiorari and Prohibition under and in terms of Article 140 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. Case No: CA/WRIT/112/2018

1. Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa Dalada Vidhiya, Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy PETITIONER Vs.

1. D. Nanayakkara, Secretary, Ministry of Sustainable Development and Wild life, 9th Floor, Stage 1, “Sethsiripaya”, Battaramulla.

1A. A.P.G. Kithsiri Secretary, Ministry of Sustainable Development and Wild life, 9^th Floor, Stage 1, “Sethsiripaya”, Battaramulla.

1B. A.H.S. Wijesinghe Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Wildlife Resources, Sobadam Piyasa, 416/C/1, Robert Gunawardena Mawatha, Battaramulla.

Substituted 1B Respondent

2. J.A.K.N. Jayatunge Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Wildlife, 9^th Floor, Stage 1, “Sethsiripaya”, Battaramulla.

2A. P.H. Ananda Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Wildlife, 9^th Floor, Stage 1, “Sethsiripaya”, Battaramulla.

3. Hon. Ravindra Samaraweera Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife, Ministry of Sustainable Development and Wildlife, 9^th Floor, Stage 1, “Sethsiripaya”, Battaramulla.

3A. Hon. Sarath Fonseka Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife, Ministry of Sustainable Development and Wildlife, 9^th Floor, Stage 1, “Sethsiripaya”, Battaramulla.

3B. Hon. S.M. Chandrasena Minister of Environment and Wildlife Resources, Ministry of Environment and Wildlife Resources, Sobadam Piyasa, 416/C/1, Robert Gunawardena Mawatha, Battaramulla.

Substituted 3B Respondent

4. Hon. Gamini Jayawickrama Perera Former Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife and presently, The Ministwr of Buddha Sasana, No. 135, Sreemath Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 07.

5. R.M.D.B. Meegasmulla The Former Secretary, Ministry of Sustainable Development and Wildlife, and presently, the Secretary to the Ministry of Postal Services and Muslim Religious Affairs, 6th and 7th Floors, Posts Head Office Building, D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha, Colombo 10.

6. K.V.R. Samantha Gunasekara No.209/3, Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha, Dehiwala.

7. R.S.P.B. Senanayake No.110-C, Quarry Road, Gadagandeniya, Peradeniya.

8. Justice Nimal E. Dissanayake No.392/3, Perera Mawatha, Kotuwegoda, Rajagiriya.

9. G.R. Bandara Director, International Affairs Division Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy

10. The Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs, “Dahampaya”, No.135, Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 07.

11. Dr. R.H.S. Samarathunge Secretary to the Treasury, Ministry of Finance, The Secretariat, Lotus Road, Colombo 01.

11A. S.R. Attygalle, Secretary to the Treasury, Ministry of Finance, The Secretariat, Lotus Road, Colombo 01.

Substituted 11A Respondent RESPONDENTS Before: Hon. D.N. Samarakoon, J.

Counsel: Sanjeewa Jayawardane P. C. with M. Mohamed for the Petitioner.

Chrishmal Warnasuriya with D. Ginigaddara for the 7th respondent Sumedha Mahawanniarachchi with Binara Silva for the 8th respondent.

Kuvera de Zoysa P. C. with Pasindu Bandara for the 9th respondent.

Mohan Gopallawa, S. D. S. G. with Ishara Madarasinghe S. C. for 1st to 6^th, 10^th and 11^th respondents.

Argued on: 21.07.2023, 03.08.2023, 04.10.2023, 08.11.2023, 27.11.2023 and 01.03.2024.

Written Submissions: tendered by all parties.

Decided on: 09^th May 2024 D.N. Samarakoon, J The petitioner seeks to quash P. 54.

It contains one and a half (1 ½ ) pages.

It says, (i) Samantha Gunasekera in his evidence referred the attention of the Committee to the act of corruption committed in 2007 in the process of importing an elephant from Burma to Sri Dalada Maligawa (ii) Usually the value of an elephant in the open market is 10 or 15 lackhs (iii) But in importing an elephant for Sri Dalada Maligawa in 2007 it has been stated in invoices the value as Rs. 261,592,500/- and remitted that money overseas by Cust