Summons to Gota regarding the lawsuit for compensation for property damage from partisan struggles

The Supreme Court today ordered notices to be issued to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and others, in connection with a fundamental rights petition filed requesting a formal inquiry into the payment of compensation for property damage caused by the violent acts that occurred on and around May 9, 2022.

This petition, filed by Attorney Dr. Ravindranath Dabare, names several high-ranking government officials as respondents, in addition to the former President, including former Secretary of Defence General (Retired) Kamal Gunaratne, General (Retired) Shavendra Silva, and former Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles.

When the case was called before the Supreme Court today, it was informed that several respondents, including the former President, had not yet received the relevant notices.

Accordingly, the Supreme Court, which ordered immediate issuance of notices to the relevant parties, fixed the petition for further consideration on May 8.

The petitioner emphasizes that a transparent and full investigation should be conducted to ensure that any compensation paid in relation to the incidents has been fairly distributed without political connections, partiality, or other undue influence.

The petitioner also points out that he is deeply concerned that the government has not taken proper steps to identify and take legal action against the perpetrators involved in the violent acts, but instead has spent a large amount of public money as compensation.

On or around February 5, 2025, Health Minister and then Government Spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa presented a report to Parliament stating that a compensation amount of Rs. 1.22 billion had been paid to 43 individuals, including politicians, whose properties were damaged by the violent acts that occurred on May 9, 2022.

The petitioner has also presented to the court, through his petition, the accusation made by Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa that former Members of Parliament have misused their power and obtained excessively large compensation amounts, exceeding normal compensation limits.