By T.Farook Thajudeen

Colombo District Court yesterday restrained UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Palitha Range Bandara, and the secretary of the disciplinary Committee  Samindra Jayasekera from nominating members for vacant posts in 21 local government seats.

The present UNP  local government members who represent the party were expelled by the UNP hierarchy for supporting the SJB at the last general election Colombo District Judge Aruna Aluthge restrained the defendants from appointing new members for the vacant posts and expelling the plaintiffs from the UNP until  September 29.  The judge issued the restraining order on considering the submissions made by Farmin Cassim PC with Thisath Gunawardena who pleaded that the  UNP hierarchy takes the decision to expel the21 sitting members and make new appointments would cause irreparable damage to the  petitioners.  The petition was filed by petitioners Manjula Wasantha Gamaaachige Wijedasa and several other Pradeshiya Sabha members.