Vanni farmers file FR case in Supreme Court

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 17 October 2001, 15:45 GMT]
The Supreme Court Wednesday entertained a fundamental rights violation application filed by six Tamils against the imposition of control in transporting kerosene and fuel to Vanni region which is now not under the control of state armed forces.

"The circular issued by the Secretary of the Ministry of Defense allowing us to take kerosene and fuel to Vanni region in limited quantity on token basis has violated our fundamental rights ensured under Section 12 (1) of the Constitution", the petitioners have stated in their plaint filed Wednesday on behalf of the farming and fishing community in Tiger-controlled Vanni region. The petitioners are residents of Vanni region and engaged in farming and fishing.

The petitioners have prayed in their petition that "the said circular has deprived our fundamental rights which are now being enjoyed by the people of the other districts in the island. Therefore we appeal that the court should order for the cancellation of the said circular,"

The petitioners further requested the Supreme Court to order compensation to them stating they have been badly affected by the said circular.

The petitioners, Kandiah Sivanesan and five others have cited the Secretary of Ministry of Defense, The Commander of Sri Lanka Army, the Commanding Officer of 21-1 Brigade and the Attorney General have been cited as respondents.

This petition would be taken up for inquiry on a latter date, court sources said.