Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, PC, yesterday filed a Revision Application in the Court of Appeal against the enjoining order issued by the Colombo District Court preventing him from functioning as the acting Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).
President’s Counsel Dr. Romesh De Silva appearing for the Minister informed the Court that the parties who have filed the District Court case have ex parte obtained an enjoining order against his client and it has not been informed to him. He came to know the existence of such an order only through the print and electronic media, at the first instance.
When the petition was taken up for consideration before Justice D.N. Samarakoon yesterday, it was fixed for support for May 2.
Through the petition, Minister Dr. Rajapakshe, PC, has requested the Court to make an order dissolving the said enjoining order, make an interim order pending final hearing and determination of this application suspending the operation of that enjoining order, and make an interim order pending final hearing and determination staying the proceedings of the relevant District Court case.
He has named several top SLFPers including State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna, MP Duminda Dissanayake and Minister Mahinda Amaraweera as respondents to the petition.
President’s Counsel Dr. Romesh De Silva instructed by Senior Lawyer Sanath Wijewardane appeared for the petitioner, while a panel of lawyers including President’s Counsels Chandaka Jayasundara and Kuvera de Zoysa and Attorney-at-Law Pulasthi Rupasinghe appeared for the respondents yesterday.
Lahiru Fernando