Appointment of Ranil and Ratana Thera as MPs challenged in Supreme Court

13 July 2021 03:05 pm Views - 2876

General Secretary of Vinivida Peramuna Nagananda Kodituwakku today filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court seeking declaration that the UNP leader Ranil Wickremasinghe and Rev. Athuraliye Ratana Thera are disqualified and not entitled to be elected as a Member of Parliament of the UNP and Ape Jana Bala Paksaya respectively.

Petitioner said in accordance with the constitution, National List nominations shall be presented to the Election Commission within one week from the Notice received by the Party Secretaries from the Election Commission.

He alleged that the General Secretary of UNP and General Secretary of Ape Jana Bala Paksaya had failed to comply with the Notices served on them by the former Election Commission Chairman within the mandatory period specified by the Article 99A of the Constitution to tender the names to fill the two National List MP slots allocated for their respective political parties by the Election Commission.

The petitioner has cited Election Commission, former Chairman of the Election Commission Mahinda Deshapriya, Election Commission Chairman Nimal G. Punchihewa, UNP former General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Ape Jana Bala Paksaya General Secretary Rev. Wedinigama Wimalatissa and several others as respondents.