The Colombo District Court yesterday issued an Enjoining Order on the Central Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), including former President Maithripala Sirisena, suspending the removal of senior party Deputy Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva from all positions he holds following a media statement issued by the party.
Additional District Judge Purnima Paranagama has issued an Enjoining Order suspending the removal of Nimal Siripala de Silva from the Central Committee, the Executive Council, the District Leadership, the post of Electoral Organizer and other posts.
The Enjoining Order was issued following a case filed by Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva against party Chairman Maithripala Sirisena, party General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara, Lasantha Alagiyawanna and four others.
Attorney-at-Law Sanath Wijewardena filed the complaint while President's Counsel Romesh de Silva appeared before the court on behalf of Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.
Romesh de Silva, PC stated that the defendants had issued a press release based on Plaintiff Nimal Siripala de Silva’s appointment as a Minister in President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's Government and that he was not aware that the Central Committee had taken a decision or that a Central Committee had convened after issuing such a press release.
Prior to the appointment of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Central Committee of the party had decided to take over the ministry post under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's Government and to continue with the Government.
In such a context, he told Court that it was a powerless act before the law to remove his posts or take any decision against him in violation of the SLFP party constitution, and that despite this press release, he was not given the opportunity to make excuses.
The petition was filed seeking annulment of such a press release issued by the first accused Maithripala Sirisena and a statement declaring that he holds the post of Senior Vice President of the party and other posts.
After considering the submissions made by President's Counsel Romesh de Silva, Colombo District Judge Purnima Paranagama issued interim notices and notices to the accused and issued enjoining orders with effect until June 20.
Former President Maithripala Sirisena was also ordered to appear before the court to make submissions on that day.
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