Court orders suspension of Minister Fowzie, CPC Chairman
2008-11-28 14:13:43

The Supreme Court, acting on a petition filed against the controversial oil hedging deals, on Friday ordered the suspension of Petroleum Resources Minister A.H.M. Fowzie and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) Chairman Asantha de Mel.

The court also said payments to banks under this deal should be stopped - until a final determination of this case.

Laugfs Gas Chairman W.Wegapitiya filed the fundamental rights petition seeking an order to cancel the oil hedging agreement which has drawn a lot of criticism.

The court, in interim relief granted ahead of the full determination of the petition, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa should take over Mr Fowzie's portfolio while the Treasury Secretary should act as CPC Chairman. .