Another injunction was yesterday issued against Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Chairman, former President Maithripala Sirisena preventing him from functioning as the SLFP Chairman,
by the Colombo District Court until the final determination of the case.
After considering a case filed by SLFP Central Committee member Montague Sarathchandra, the injunction was issued by Colombo Chief District Judge Sandun Vithana.
The petitioner had filed the case seeking an order preventing Maithripala Sirisena from acting as the Chairman of the party after the expiry of his term as President, as there was no legitimate power for him to act as the Chairman of the party in this instance, according to the party’s constitution.
The petition further pointed out that according to the Constitution of the Party, a member of the SLFP who has been appointed as executive President of Sri Lanka and has completed that term, becomes the patron of the party ex-officio.
Therefore, the party members including himself believe that first defendant, Maithripala Sirisena, will only hold the position of patron according to the said constitution, and it is illegal for him to hold the position of chairman even after November 18, 2019.
The Colombo District Judge observed that as the petitioner has pointed out in his complaint, it is problematic for the Court that first defendant Maithripala Sirisena continue as the Chairman of the party after the expiry of his term as President of Sri Lanka.
Considering the circumstances, the Colombo District Judge also ordered both parties to file submissions over the case on June 24.
The petition had cited former President Maithripala Sirisena, then SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara, Lasantha Alagiyawanna and Duminda Dissanayake named as the respondents.
A panel of attorneys including Senior Attorney Shantha Jayawardena and attorneys Dinesh de Silva, Chamara Nanayakkarawasam, Hiranya Damunupola and Chamodi Rajanetti appeared for the petitioners.
Dilshan Tharaka