5 March 2024 12:00 am Views - 248
By Lakmal Sooriyagoda
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa and its office bearers are expecting to raise objections against the plaint filed by SJB Chairman Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka.
SJB leader Sajith Premadasa through his lawyer yesterday informed Colombo District Court that they would raise objections against the enjoining order issued by Colombo District Court dated February 19, preventing the SJB from removing Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka from the party membership and positions. Sarath Fonseka obtained this enjoining order, preventing SJB from removing him on the basis of remarks he made against offering party membership to former Army Commander Daya Ratnayake.
Meanwhile, the Colombo District Court yesterday further extended its enjoining order preventing the SJB from removing Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka from the party membership and positions, until March 19.
Colombo District Court Judge Sandun Vithana made this order pursuant to a plaint filed by Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka against SJB office bearers including party leader Sajith Premadasa, General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara, National Organiser Tissa Attanayake and Treasurer Harsha de Silva.
Fonseka alleged that offering SJB membership to former Army Commander (Retired) General Daya Ratnayake was contrary to the party’s objectives, policies and principles. He further claimed that General Ratnayake served as the Chairman of Sri Lanka Port Authority during Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s regime, a period marked by the country’s descent into bankruptcy.
Faiszer Musthapha PC with Shaheeda Barrie, Mehran Careem, Pulasthi Rupasinghe and Amila Perera appeared for the plaintiff. President’s Counsel Romesh De Silva appeared for SJB leader Sajith Premadasa.