19 September 2022 08:47 am Views - 138
By Sandun A Jayasekera
The main opposition, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has expedited the process to expel party members who betrayed the party to join the government led by a rival political party, the SLPP, General Secretary of the SJB, former Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara said yesterday.
Madduma Bandara told Daily Mirror that the SJB was determined to act according to the law and party constitution to respond appropriately to the treacherous acts of three SJB members, Harin Fernando, Manusha Nanayakkara and Diana Gamage who crossed over to the government ranks to accept ministerial portfolios.
“Diana has already been expelled from the party. But she has sought legal redress against her expulsion. A three member committee of legal experts has been appointed by the party leader, Sajith Premadasa led by Upul Jayasuriya, PC to inquire into the betrayal by Harin and Manusha. The party membership of the both has already been suspended and they have also been served with show cause notices for their misconduct,” he added.
Article 99 (13) (a) of the Constitution provides that where an MP ceases by resignation, expulsion from his or her political party or independent group or otherwise, his seat in Parliament shall become vacant, upon the expiration of a period of one month from the date of his ceasing to be such member.
Article 99 (13) (b) provides an exception to that. Accordingly, if the expelled member challenges the expulsion in the Supreme Court, the vacancy of the seat occurs only from the date, the Court determines that the expulsion was valid.
The Article 99 (13) further provides that such petition shall be inquired into by three judges of the Supreme Court who shall make their determination within two months filing such petition.