Sajith and Maddumabandara to raise objections against Diana’s petition
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and Samagi Jana
Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara through their lawyers
have informed Supreme Court that objections will be filed against the expulsion
petition filed by Parliamentarian Diana Gamage.
Diana Gamage had filed a petition before the Supreme Court
challenging the SJB for expelling her party membership.
When the petition was called before Supreme Court
three-judge-bench comprising Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, Justice Gamini
Amarasekara and Justice Shiran Goonaratne, the respondent parties including SJB
Chairman Sajith Premadasa and its Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara were given
permission to file their objections on December 13.
In her petition, Diana Gamage said she has been expelled
from the party membership following her decision to vote in favour of the 20th
Amendment to the Constitution. The Petitioner said she is not a member of the
Government, but a Member of Parliament acting with independence and in
accordance with her conscience as demanded by SJB Party’s Constitution.
Diana Gamage has cited SJB General Secretary, its Chairman
Sajith Premadasa, Secretary General of Parliament, the Chairman of
Election Commission, members of Election
Commission and several others as
respondents.
The petitioner is also seeking a declaration that the
decision to expel her from the SJB communicated to her via letter dated 08th
October 2021, is made in violation of the constitution of the SJB.
Gamage stated that party decision to expel from party
membership was unlawful and contrary to natural justice.
She further seeking a declaration that the conduct of the
purported disciplinary inquiry is in violation of natural justice and
procedural proprieties, and thereby null and void and has no force or avail in
law.
President’s Counsel Faisz Musthapha with Farman Cassim PC
appeared for SJB and Opposition Leader
Sajith Premadasa.
President’s Counsel Ikram Mohomed with Thisath
Wijeyagunawardena PC appeared for SJB General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara.
President’s Counsel Uditha Egalahewa appeared for the
petitioner.
Source Ceylontribune
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