IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBIC OF SRI LANKA In the matter of an Application under and in terms of Articles 17 and 126 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Application No. SC/FR/246/2022 Ambika Sathkunanathan No. 27, Rudra Mawatha, Colombo 6.

Petitioner Vs.

1. (A) Hon. Attorney General Attorney General’s Department, Colombo 12.

1. (B) Hon. Attorney General, Attorney General’s Department, Colombo 12.

2. Gamini Senarath (Former) Secretary to the President, Presidential Secretariat, Colombo 01.

3. Saman Ekanayake Secretary to the President, Presidential Secretariat, Colombo 01.

4. General (Retired) Kamal Gunaratne Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Defence Headquarters Complex, Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte.

Respondents Application No. SC FR 261/2022

1. Wewala Pandithage Namini Thathprabha Panditha Pabasara, Sarasawi Mawatha, Horonduwa, Yatiyana, Matara.

2. Rusiru Tharinda Egodage

728/E, Kuttampokuna Road, Himbutuwelgoda, Kelaniya.

Petitioners Vs.

1. C.D. Wickramaratne Inspector General of Police, Police Headquarters, Colombo 10.

2. Hon. Attorney General Attorney General’s Department, Colombo 12. Respondents Application No. SC FR 262/2022

1. Centre for Policy Alternatives (Guarantee) Limited No. 6/5, Layards Road, Colombo 5.

2. Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu No. 3, Ascot Avenue, Colombo 5. Petitioners Vs.

1. Hon. Attorney General 2. Hon. Attorney General Attorney General’s Department, Colombo 12. Respondents Application No. SC FR 274/2022

1. Atham Lebbe Aazath No. 75/65, Maligakanda Road, Maradana, Colombo 10.

2. Laxmanan Sanjeev No. 19, 2/5, Asian Courts, Milagiriya Avenue, Colombo 4. Petitioners Vs.

1. Saman Ekanayake Secretary to the President, Presidential Secretariat, Colombo 1.

2. General (Retired) Kamal Gunaratne Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Defence, Defence Headquarters Complex, Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte.

3. S. Hettiarachchi Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, 15^th Floor, Suhurupaya, Battaramulla.

4. C.D. Wickramaratne Inspector General of Police, Police Headquarters, Colombo 10.

5. Hon. Attorney General Attorney General’s Department, Colombo 12. Respondents Application No. SC FR 276/2022 Thudugala Mudalige Pubudu Sandun Thudugala No. 50, Ayesha Watta, Yakalla, Ibbagamuwa.

Petitioner Vs.

1. Hon. Ranil Wickremasinghe President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and Minister of Defence Hon. Attorney General (In terms of proviso to Article 35(1) of the Constitution.)

2. Hon. Attorney General Attorney General’s Department, Colombo 12.

3. Gamini Senarath (Former) Secretary to the President, Presidential Secretariat, Colombo 1.

4. Saman Ekanayake Secretary to the President, Presidential Secretariat, Colombo 1.

5. General (Retired) Kamal Gunaratne Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Defence Headquarters Complex, Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte.

Respondents Before: Murdu N.B. Fernando, PC, CJ.

Yasantha Kodagoda, PC, J.

Arjuna Obeyesekere, J.

Appearance: Pulasthi Hewamanne with Harini Jayawardhana, Fadhila Fairoze, Linuri Munasinghe and Githmi Wijenarayana instructed by Lilanthi de Silva for the Petitioner in SC FR 246/2022.

Dr. Gehan Gunatilleke with Oshan Fernando and Avishka Jayaweera instructed by R.N.S. Livera appeared for the Petitioners in SC FR 261/2022 till Dr. Gunatilleke’s appointment as a Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka. Thereafter, Mr. Oshan Fernando appeared with Avishka Jayaweera instructed by R.N.S. Livera for the Petitioners Suren Fernando with Luwie Ganeshathasan and Kyathi Wickremanayake instructed by R. N. S. Livera for the Petitioners in SC FR

262/2022.

Thishya Weragoda, Prathap Welikumbura, Dilan Nalaka, Yasanga Senadheera and Chamodi Wijeweera instructed by Niluka Sanjani Dissanayake for the Petitioners in SC FR

274/2022.

Ermiza Tegal with Namashya Ratnayake instructed by Judith Darshika Ariyanayagam for the Petitioner in SC FR 276/2022.

Rajiv Goonethileke, Deputy Solicitor General, Shaminda Wickrama, Senior State Counsel with Sajith Ban