Western Province Governor among those noticed by HC in petition against PC Chief

Notice was issued when a writ application filed by the Chairman of the Homagama Tax-Payer's Association Gamage Wijeratne was permitted to be taken up for examination on Friday (21).

The petition claims the Chairman of the Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha Sampath Chaminda Jayasinghe had committed financial fraud when purchasing roofing sheets to be distributed among low-income earners, and requests for the PS Chairman be suspended from his position.

The matter was taken up in the presence of Colombo High Court Judge Pradeep Hettiarachchi.

The petition states 1040 roofing sheets were purchased with approval from the Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha to be handed over to the low-income earners in the Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha jurisdiction.

It adds the roofing sheets were purchased above the existing market price and Rs. 380/- was defrauded per roofing sheet.

The petitioner was represented by Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala at the High Court.

The Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha, its Chairman Sampath Chaminda Wijesinghe, the Pradeshiya Sabha Secretary, Commissioner of the Western Province and Assistant Commissioner of Local Government were named as respondents as well.

The petition requests the Colombo High Court to appoint a retired judicial officer to conduct an investigation on inefficient and illegal administration and following the conclusion of the investigation to issue a writ of mandamus removing the Sampath Chaminda Wijesinghe from the post of Chairman of the Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha.