18 December 2024 07:52 am Views - 49
By Lakmal Sooriyagoda
A writ petition was filed before Court of Appeal seeking an order declaring that Jaffna District Parliamentarian Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna is not qualified to be a Member of Parliament and is thus not entitled to hold office as a Member of Parliament. Social activist Oshala Herath filed this petition seeking an order in the nature of a Writ of Quo Warranto declaring that Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna is disqualified to be a Member of Parliament.
Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justices Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Mahen Gopallawa fixed this matter for hearing on January 15, 2025.
The petitioner stated that Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna is a public officer attached to the Ministry of Health and, therefore, as a public officer, he has a contract with the state.
The petitioner stated that Article 91(1)(e) of the Constitution bars individuals who hold any interests in public contracts from election as a Member of Parliament.
The petitioner further stated that Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna functioned as Cover-up Medical Superintendent of Chavakachcheri Base Hospital and was later annexed to the Teaching Hospital of Peradeniya. The petitioner stated that Dr. Archchuna’s Facebook profile, on or about 29th September 2024 publicly disclosed that he was interdicted pending disciplinary action by the then Secretary to the Ministry of Health.
Therefore, the petitioner stated that Dr. Archchuna is disqualified to be a Member of Parliament under and in terms of Article 91(1)(d) and 91(1)(e) of the Constitution.
Counsel N.K.Ashokbharan with Shenal Fernando appeared for the petitioner.