Court order to suspend the Scout election

Nugegoda Additional District Judge Suranga Munasinghe yesterday (13) issued an enjoining order preventing the election of office bearers for the 2026/2027 term of the Sri Lanka Scout Movement and the holding of a special general meeting. This order was issued suspending the meeting, which was scheduled to be held today (14), until the 27th.

This enjoining order was issued after considering a case filed by Mr. Mahagammulage Pushpakumara, a candidate for the executive committee. The petitioner alleges that the secretary had informed only a selected group of members of the organization about this special general meeting, which was planned to elect the president, vice presidents, secretary, treasurer, and other office bearers, and was scheduled to be held today at 10.00 AM at the Scout Headquarters.

The respondents in this case have been named as Mr. Lasantha Manoj Nanayakkara, Chief Scout Commissioner of the Sri Lanka Scout Movement, Mr. Ransiri Perera, President, Mr. Sujeewa Jayawardena, Secretary, and Mr. Tushara Sumanasekara, Chairman of the Executive Committee.

The lawyers appearing for the petitioner pointed out to the court that the conduct of the respondents, including the secretary, was completely contrary to the provisions and regulations of the Sri Lanka Scout Council Act, and was illegal. The lawyers further emphasized that such actions by the leaders of a movement involving individuals from schoolchildren to adults set a wrong precedent, causing severe disrepute and damage to the entire Scout Movement.

Having considered all the facts presented, the District Judge issued an enjoining order preventing the holding of the said election and also took steps to issue summons to the respondents, instructing them to appear before the court on the 27th to present their arguments if they have any objections regarding this matter. Lawyers Aswida Benedict and Vandima Weerakkody appeared for the petitioner's side, under the instructions of Attorney Niluka Pathirage.