Lady golfers want to be on par with males

The Supreme Court with a panel of majority lady judges, on International Women’s Day, granted leave to proceed with the fundamental rights petition filed by a lady golfer against the Royal Colombo Golf Club (CRGC) for the alleged discrimination of lady golfers.The Bench comprised Justices Ms Shirani Tilakawardane and Ms Eva Wanasundera as well as P.A.Ratnayake granted leave to proceed with the fundamental rights petition filed by lady golfer Ms Neesha Maheswari Nirmalalingam.

Leave to proceed was granted for the alleged infringement of right to equality and equal protection of the law, the right that no citizen shall be discrimina-

No voting rights exist for the members of the “Ladies’ Section” at the General Meeting or at the Special General Meeting of the Club

ted against on the grounds sex as well as the right that no citizen shall, on the grounds of sex be subject to any disability, liability, restriction or condition with regard to access public places.

Senior State Counsel Mrs Sahida Barrie appearing for the Attorney General opposed the granting of leave to proceed.

Petitioner cited RCGC President Nirmal Fernando, its Captain W.Priath Fernando, its Vice Captain Nimal Piyaratne, Committee Members Michael Magala Perera, Ken De Alwis, Rohan Wijegoonewardena, Sanjiv Vairavanathan, Avancka Heart, Dr Manjula Karunaratne, Ranjan Rajendran, Vitus Fernando,

Ranil Peiris and Primal Wijenayake as well as Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and the Attorney General as Respondents.

S.A.Parathalingam PC with N.M.Reyaz and Niranjan Arulpragasam instructed by G.G.Arulpragasam appeared for the Petitioner.

The Petitioner complained to the Supreme Court:- Among them were that

(1) ladies of the RCGC are only members of the “Ladies’ Section” and are not considered “full members of the Club;

(2) No voting rights exist for the members of the “Ladies’ Section” at the General Meeting or at the Special General Meeting of the Club.