The cabinet of ministers that met this evening has decided not to enforce the court order to reduce the price of petrol down to Rs. 100\= per liter until it is officially conveyed to the government. The Cabinet will meet again tomorrow to take a decision in this respect and a decision contrary to the court directive is most likely to be taken then, reliable sources said.
In the past the Judiciary has given several controversial verdicts challenging the decisions of the legislature. Legal experts point out that the clash of opinion between the legislature and the judiciary would aggravate further with the response of the government to the verdict of the court in respect of the hedging deal.
The Cabinet decision this evening (Dec 17) not to reduce the price of petrol to LKR 100/- per litre with effect from midnight today (Dec 17) as directed by the Supreme Court on the basis it did not receive the official Supreme Court decision, has compelled the Treasury Secretary, Mr. Sumith Abeysinghe to tender his resignation tomorrow (Dec 18), speculates Cabinet sources. The Supreme Court today (Dec 17) ordered the Treasury Secretary to reduce the price of petrol from LKR 122/- per liter to LKR 100/- per litre, when the FR petition challenging petroleum hedging sumbitted by Rev Theenyawela Palitha thero, MP Ravi Karunanayake and Attorney at law Ravi Jayawardne was taken up to deliberate on the price of fuel, sold by the CPC. The SC instructed the Treasury Secretary to reduce the price of other petroleum products including diesel, accordingly.
"LankaDissent" learns, the Cabinet of Ministers that met this evening (Wednesday, Dec 17) had argued, the Judiciary should not be allowed to freely tresspass into Executive powers that has the right to decide on matters like fixing prices, in this case, a policy matter.
Accordingly the Director Information of the Government Information Department was adviced to issue a short notice to th effect the price of petrol will not be reduced as the SC decision was not received by the Cabinet at the time of the meeting and the Cabinet of Ministers would meet tomorrow (Dec 18) in the evening.
This decision of the Cabinet nevertheless compromises the responsibility of the Treasury Secretary to effect the SC decision says legal experts and says if not carried out, would amount to contempt of court. With unofficial reports that says the Treasury Secretary would resign tomorrow morning, he would be the second Treasury Secretary to reliquish the post within 03 months, due to judicial decisions.
Mr. Abeysinghe succeeded Dr. P.B. Jayasundera as Treasury Secretary, when Dr. Jayasundera was found guilty by the SC in the LMS case for fraud and irresponsible discharge of duties.
