The Supreme Court (SC) today (14) dismissed two contempt cases lodged against Secretary to the Treasury, Mahinda Siriwardana. Filed by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara and National People's Power (NPP) Parliamentarian Vijitha Herath, the cases alleged non-compliance with an SC order related to Local Government (LG) elections.

The dismissal, based on preliminary objections raised by the Treasury Secretary, was backed by the bench, including Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya and Justices Buwanaka Aluwihare, Priyantha Jayawardena, Vijith K Malalgoda, and Murdu Fernando.

During earlier proceedings, Senior Counsel Eraj de Silva, representing the Treasury Secretary, argued that constitutional constraints required a Finance Minister's warrant for fund release, emphasizing that funds were released based on general ministerial authority before 14 February 2023. 

The Cabinet's subsequent decision to allocate funds only for essential expenses altered the Treasury Secretary's authorization to release funds for election expenses. De Silva underscored that there was no willful disobedience by the Treasury Secretary.