Supreme Court rules Diana Gamage ineligible for parliamentary seat

8 May 2024 10:50 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 74 Bookmark

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Colombo, May 08 - The Supreme Court in another landmark judgment today held that State Minister Diana Gamage is disqualified to be a Member of Parliament and is thus not entitled to hold office as a Member of Parliament, as she was not a citizen of Sri Lanka.

With this Supreme Court judgment, Diana Gamage’s disqualification will lead to the loss of her parliamentary seat.

The Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprised Justices Gamini Amarasekara, Kumuduni Wickremasinghe and Janak de Silva.

Counsel Hafeel Farisz with Nishika Fonseka and Shannon Thilekaratne appeared for Petitioner Oshala Herath.

Farman Cassim PC appeared for the Samagi Jana Balawegaya .

Comments - 74

Bryan Karu Wednesday, 08 May 2024 11:42 AM

Correct judgement. Excellent.

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Investigate Who Allowed Her to Become a Politician Wednesday, 08 May 2024 03:08 PM

Absolutely. Why did SJB and Election Dept allowed her to join the party and parliament knowing SL prohibits foreigners can’t join political parties? And also the immigration department clearly states no foreigners allowed to get involved in politics. All these needs to be investigated how she managed to convince important departments to be a politician in SL.

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Lankan Wednesday, 08 May 2024 11:49 PM

Finally. The Immigration Dept should be taken to task for giving visa to a foreigner to do politics in SL . Now she is free to start her ganga business .

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Lion Wednesday, 08 May 2024 11:48 AM

Very good decision now the state must recover all the benefits she received as a MP claiming to be a citizen of this country

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RV Pillai Thursday, 09 May 2024 08:55 AM

They must in addition recover collateral damages from the party which nominated her to the Parliamant. SJB and Ranil cannot avoid vicarious liability. Giving her a minister post has given a negative image to the President.

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Lakmal Kahawela Wednesday, 08 May 2024 11:49 AM

Very good judgement. Sri Lanka going towards correct path.

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Avanka Perera Wednesday, 08 May 2024 11:56 AM

A very good decision by SC. We as citizens of the country honor and salute the Supreme Court.

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Sim Wednesday, 08 May 2024 11:59 AM

Justice delayed is justice denied.

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Mohamed Burhan Wednesday, 08 May 2024 12:02 PM

Yes we respect the decision of the honorable law. Madam as I had said earlier for me you are a quality politician with creative ideas for economic reforms but unfortunately will not suite Sri Lankan sytem of politics being a very poor country .Honestly you should have been a politician in a country like U K.I am sad to hear this because you are an Iron Lady in Parliament.Wish you all the best

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warren Wednesday, 08 May 2024 02:48 PM

Agreed!

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Bandu Thursday, 09 May 2024 02:35 AM

Oh a politician in a country like U K, where they do not assault other MPs with handbag and use 'parusha' words and talk like a gutter. Unlikely.

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wsw Thursday, 09 May 2024 07:22 AM

Agree, sad she had to be ousted on a technical anomaly. I too subscribed to some of her ideas which seemed quite progressive. Perhaps it's time to revisit our electoral representation laws, the current bunch seem uncouthed and a thorn in the eye, when in public. It might do our country a world a good, if we can tap into the experience of our dual citizens, since many of them are more refined and knowledgeable through their foreign exposure.

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Potta Harry Wednesday, 08 May 2024 12:05 PM

Parliamentary officials should be punished for their ignorance for allowing disqualified person been allowed to be a member.

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Mari Wednesday, 08 May 2024 12:09 PM

Appeal and you will get it!

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Tammy Wednesday, 08 May 2024 07:55 PM

You can’t Appel Supreme Court verdicts. It’s the highest court in the land didn’t you know that ?

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Jayampathi Wednesday, 08 May 2024 12:20 PM

Is disqualification the only punishment. Is there no jail sentence and a fine plus reimbursement to state of all earnings, allowances and benefits derived during the period of being MP. The force of punishment for lying and being dishonest should be applied in full force. Otherwise is it fair to jail a person who has taken a Rs 500 bribe.

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Jagath Leanage Wednesday, 08 May 2024 12:22 PM

At last . Most unpleasanted parliamentarian in whole parliamentary history .

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Clean up Sri Lanka Wednesday, 08 May 2024 12:28 PM

This is great example how corrupt politicians waste taxpayer money.

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Tharmar K Wednesday, 08 May 2024 12:30 PM

This shows the corrupt mentality of Both Sajith P and RW along with their disrespect for the voters. They dont even posses the basic knowledge and honesty in choosing decent candidates for parliament.

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Yohan Wednesday, 08 May 2024 05:17 PM

How can rw or sp know the cunning act of this lady. Even the judge at appeal court said she is correct. First action should be taken against that judge too. That appeal court judge no longer suitable to hold office

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Rathnavali Wednesday, 08 May 2024 08:01 PM

Why blame RW when he had to work with the corrupt politicians people had elected to parliament?

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Rip Winkle Wednesday, 08 May 2024 08:30 PM

Sajith is a puppet, mate. It's his sister who pulls his strings.

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Oncobala Wednesday, 08 May 2024 10:43 PM

Well said

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Puswadilla Monday, 13 May 2024 05:30 PM

How come SP

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Haren Monday, 13 May 2024 05:43 PM

This was a technical issue. RW kept delaying nominations and that short spam and SP

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Damian Wednesday, 08 May 2024 12:32 PM

Good decision and long awaited. This psychopath RW and this SLPP government of thief's days are numbered. No mandate to rule and still they make terrible agreements such as the on arrival visa scheme.

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This is reality Wednesday, 08 May 2024 12:40 PM

By the way, I am not a fan of MP Gamage. The law of the country stands supreme. That's it.

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Steve Wednesday, 08 May 2024 12:42 PM

Oh please don't go Diana.

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RV Pillai Wednesday, 08 May 2024 12:53 PM

Will Diana be appointed as a Governor of a Province.?

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Felix de mel Wednesday, 08 May 2024 03:06 PM

Same Law Applies.

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Ram Wednesday, 08 May 2024 01:01 PM

Now she must be directed to return all the wages

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Mahila Thursday, 09 May 2024 08:47 AM

It's not DG's fault Judgement Delayed!!??

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Ram Wednesday, 08 May 2024 01:03 PM

The action

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DOT Wednesday, 08 May 2024 01:14 PM

She was brave enough to convey her voice. Will miss her !

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Ram Wednesday, 08 May 2024 01:45 PM

So the general election on the card or president is going to dissolve parliament soon.

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SJB didn’t Check On Her Eligibility Wednesday, 08 May 2024 01:55 PM

How come SJB allowed her to join the party the first place knowing SL prohibits foreigners can’t join political parties? And also the immigration department clearly states no foreigners allowed to get involved in politics. All these needs to be investigated how she managed to convince these entities to function as a politician in SL.

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Be Fair Wednesday, 08 May 2024 02:00 PM

SJB should be ashamed of this, knowingly fielding a candidate holding another nationality. Talk about Governance, Ethics, Integrity and Honesty.......

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Kamala jayaseba Wednesday, 08 May 2024 02:44 PM

Good move towards to rights of the people. Thanks judicial system of the country.

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melville perera Wednesday, 08 May 2024 02:48 PM

what a waste of time and taxpayers' money when her election application could have been rejected immediately even just glancing at her passport. The defendant including the election commissioner for negligence (ignorance of the law is no excuse) should be called upon to reimburse all expenses plus parliament priviledges. till she vacates her seat

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Bandara Wednesday, 08 May 2024 02:55 PM

The party which nominate have to the palimentarient is responsible. There after she was protected by the government party. AG and the speaker defended and delayed the decision.

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Lionel Wednesday, 08 May 2024 02:56 PM

They should now prosecute the corrupt immigration officers and person registration officers who gave her false passports and birth cer. Then the judgement will be complete.

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RV Pillai Thursday, 09 May 2024 08:59 AM

Immigration Controller of the time should be fired. They think ordinary citizens on whose tax money they studied and live are set of fools.,

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Grace Wednesday, 08 May 2024 02:59 PM

Thanks for giving her enough time to serve people through a parliamentary seat. The period is quite enough to make enough money.

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Anthony. R Wednesday, 08 May 2024 03:13 PM

Salute to the Judiciary, excellent. We pray for "One Country One Law" none is above the "Law"

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Sri Wickrema Wednesday, 08 May 2024 03:14 PM

RW is to loose another ardent supporter in the House. How sad!

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Charles Jansz. Wednesday, 08 May 2024 03:16 PM

Great judgement - let justice roll down like waters...!

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Sulthan Sugathapala Wednesday, 08 May 2024 03:44 PM

Greatest victory in 2024. How much rent Sajith paid for the party that will convert it and confirm future victory.

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Gen Wednesday, 08 May 2024 04:30 PM

Very good decision. Now the question, can she own a political party, its that's illegal SJB cannot represent in parliament.

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Ranjan Ellepola Wednesday, 08 May 2024 04:52 PM

Thank you SC. Finally the law is taking shape chasing out all these crooks.

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Nihal S Wednesday, 08 May 2024 04:53 PM

Excellent. There should be a system to punish her for providing false information to the Government of Sri Lanka and to recover all illegal earnings she made from the tax payers. Is this going to happen?

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Ganesh Wednesday, 08 May 2024 05:01 PM

Irony is that, when a person of Sri Lankan descent achieves something in their country of birth, we are quick to associate themselves with SL. However, when it comes to politics, different rules apply. How come BR is allowed to engage in politics? Probably many didn't like her fearless and out of the box thinking. BTW what was WW doing in court dressed like a yellow canary. jātyantara kumantraṇaya

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roni Wednesday, 08 May 2024 05:45 PM

Chairperson Cannabis Placations pvt Ltd. would be offered. Thank you for the entertainment in and out of Parliament. Sorry no pension from Sri Lanka.

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SSZ KHAN Wednesday, 08 May 2024 07:10 PM

SJP has only one aim....Saith to rule.Sajith has not the intellect to run the country Y.SJP should back Ranil for the betterment of Sri Lanka

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Rohini Wijetilleke Wednesday, 08 May 2024 07:16 PM

Where is her citizenship from? Why was the basic eligibility screening not done prior to getting elected? Who is responsible for vetting? Have them accountable.

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Banda Wednesday, 08 May 2024 07:26 PM

Very good. It's big relief for the country and the parliament. Ask her to leave.

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Rasika Wednesday, 08 May 2024 07:39 PM

Great

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Meenachchi Wednesday, 08 May 2024 07:43 PM

Charming discriminative behavior vanished from the parliament.

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UK citizen Wednesday, 08 May 2024 08:02 PM

Will the British Government take any action against one of its citizens going over to take part in politics and more so becoming a minister in a foreign government ? Over to you United Kingdom.

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Spartacus Wednesday, 08 May 2024 08:21 PM

This is a known fact by Leaders of this Parliament. However, these Party Leaders abused the constitution until the Supreme Court had to get involved in this. Therefore, how is it possible to trust any of these monkeys in Parliament because they are bent into misusing their powers and privileges. This is unique only to Sri Lanka and not seen in other countries other than those who went bankrupt like Sri Lanka.

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Jayampathi Wednesday, 08 May 2024 09:08 PM

She will appeal . It will take another year to get appeal court decision . By that time parliament will desolve.

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Navi Wednesday, 08 May 2024 09:31 PM

Appeal and bring the other 53 Parliamentarians down with you. Parliament can be partially cleaned.

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manik Wednesday, 08 May 2024 09:35 PM

The next step is that the Attorney General, who is responsible for protecting the rights of people of Sri Lanka must proceed to arrest and prosecute Diana Gamage for major fraudulent Act and acting as a MP of Sri Lankan Parliament, and a state minister and enjoying all perks and privileges and for desecrating the parliament with abuse and filthy behavior. Attorney general is solely responsible, lets see what action he takes.

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Danny Thursday, 09 May 2024 12:34 AM

All politicians promised Sri Lanka to be next Singapore but only this lady wanted to see Sri Lanka as the next Thailand! lol!!

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Kevin Thursday, 09 May 2024 03:29 AM

Beginning of the end of Ranil's government.

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Lk Thursday, 09 May 2024 03:55 AM

NPP will deal with these cases wait and see

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Puswadilla Monday, 13 May 2024 05:32 PM

You mean with Antigen?

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Bandu Thursday, 09 May 2024 04:58 AM

Crooks and swindlers are ok to be in parliament?

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sss Thursday, 09 May 2024 05:32 AM

Sri Lanka judiciary always go by the advise of the president. That is how Ranjan Ramanayake got 4 years for telling the truth

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RV Pillai Thursday, 09 May 2024 05:54 AM

Can' this deceit be treated as cheating and indicted for Criminal Offence. Even Mr. Clean has given cover to the offence of Cheating by giving a Ministerial Post. This act shows that that Officers holding High adminstrative positions cannot take decisions on powers vested with them, and everything has to be referred to the Supreme Court.

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Damagedge Thursday, 09 May 2024 06:38 AM

Defrauding one whole country knowing fully well she is not a citizen is not punishable? She has to pay compensation or go to jail. Did Sakviti refund all the monies he robbed ???

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Anil Samarasinghe Thursday, 09 May 2024 06:51 AM

At last we can have an end to this controversy. How will we recover the cost of all the benefits she enjoyed as an MP

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Sinum Palankotin Thursday, 09 May 2024 03:00 PM

Great! We salute the legal system now! Now getting a good momentum to the correct direction!!

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Dav Monday, 13 May 2024 05:46 PM

What a joke. It took 4 years. For sure if it was Gota in power, she would have been looked after.

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F.R. Grero Thursday, 09 May 2024 09:19 PM

Wake up Tiran, do your job like you do to a normal person. Where is the big talk now?come out and say action has to be taken.

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