Ranjan’s writ application seeking to save parliamentary seat dismissed

by Chitra Weerarathne

The Court of Appeal yesterday (5) dismissed without costs a writ application filed by Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) MP Ranjan Ramanayake. It said that there was no legal basis for it to issue notice on the Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake and the Chairman of the Election Commission cited as respondents.

 Ramanayake, MP for Gampaha District was recently found guilty by the Supreme Court for Contempt of Court and sentenced to jail. The Supreme Court ruled the MP, as the then member of the UNP parliamentary group, had insulted the dignity of the judges, at a public gathering in Colombo 3.

The Supreme Court imposed a four-year rigorous imprisonment term on Ramanayake as punishment.

Consequently, the Secretary General of Parliament, took steps to inform the Elections Commission that Ramanayake should be replaced by another person of the same party, who contested the Parliamentary poll of August 5, 2020.

Ramanayake, subsequently filed a Writ Application in the Court of Appeal, seeking a mandatory order on the Secretary General of Parliament, preventing the latter from taking steps to unseat Ramanayake.

Faiz Mustapha President’s Counsel appeared with, M.A. Sumanthiran PC, Suren Fernando and Keerthi Tilakaratne for Ramanayake.

Additional Solicitor General Indika Demuni de Silva PC, appeared with Senior Deputy Solicitor General Nerin Pulle and Senior State Counsel, Dr. Avanthi Perera for the Attorney General.

The Court of Appeal bench comprised Justice Arjuna Obeysekera (President) and Justice Mayadunne Corea.