A five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya is currently hearing fundamental rights petitions seeking annulment of the Cabinet decision to transfer the 40% state-owned shares of the Kerawalapitiya Yugadanavi Thermal Power Plant to an American company, New Fortress Energy.

President's Counsel Manohara de Silva is currently presenting submissions before the court on behalf of the petitioners, the Ceylon Electricity Board and several other trade unions.

Following the submissions of the petitioners, the Attorney General Sanjaya Rajaratnam is scheduled to appear before the court on behalf of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.

The petitions have been filed by Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith Thero and Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thero, General Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balawega, Ranjith Maddumabandara, Wasantha Samarasinghe and Ranjan Jayalal, Secretary of the Ceylon Electricity Board.

Ministers Udaya Gammanpila, Wimal Weerawansa and Vasudeva Nanayakkara have retained President's Counsel Uditha Igalahewa, PC, separately to appear for themselves.