Fraudulent SLIIT takeover: Next date of hearing Dec 1

Entire Cabinet, ex-minister Jayawickrema among respondents

By Chitra Weerarathne

A Fundamental Rights violation petition filed by SLPP Colombo District MP Dr. Wijeydasa Rajapakse, PC, against the government being denied its rightful ownership of Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) will be next called before the Supreme Court on Dec 01.

When the case was called before the SC yesterday, the Attorney General moved for time to get instructions from the respondent parties. Time was allowed till Dec 01. Among the respondents are members of the Cabinet and current members of the SLIIT board as well as former Minister Gamini Jayawickema Perera.

 The bench comprised Justice Murdhu N. B. Fernando, Justice A.H.M.D. Nawaz and Justice Achala Wengappuli.

The former Justice Minister and ex-President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has moved the SC in the wake of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) alleging private sector take-over of the institute through fraudulent means. The COPE pointed out that the takeover has been carried out regardless of the Mahapola Higher Education Trust Fund coming under the purview of the Trade Ministry having made the initial investment amounting to Rs 500mn in the project.

SLIIT has been described as a leading non-state higher education institute approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under the Universities Act.

The Board of Directors of SLIIT consists of Prof. Lakshman L. Ratnayake (Chairman), Prof. Lalith Gamage (President/CEO), Prof. Nimal Rajapakse, Thilan M. Wijesinghe, Reshan Dewapura, Jehan Amaratunga and Dr. Harsha Cabral.