• CJ led SC bench to hear FR case 

The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered for a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition filed against pastor Jerome Fernando to be taken up for consideration before a Judge bench Chaired by the Chief Justice (CJ), President’s Counsel (PC) Jayantha Jayasuriya.

This order was issued when the relevant petition was taken up before a three-Judge SC bench consisting of Justices Murdu Fernando PC, Kumudini Wickremasinghe and Janak De Silva yesterday (10).

Several religious leaders had filed this petition seeking an order to prosecute Fernando under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Act over his alleged derogatory statements related to the Buddha and other religious figures. Appearing for the petitioning party, Sanjeewa Jayawardena PC informed the Court that three of the religious leaders involved in filing the petition have expressed their willingness to withdraw it.

Meanwhile, Senior Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, who appeared on behalf of the Attorney General, informed the Court that in accordance with the previous Court order, all investigation reports conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act regarding Fernando have been submitted to the Court.

After considering the facts, the Judge bench ordered that since the relevant petition had previously been considered before the CJ, it is appropriate to recall the case before a bench comprising the CJ. Subsequently, the SC Judge bench ordered the petition to be recalled before a bench Chaired by the CJ on 22 July.