By Lakmal Sooriyagoda

The Court of Appeal yesterday further extended its interim order preventing the President of Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) Sri Ranga and newly elected office bearers from carrying out duties and functioning as duly elected office bearers of the Football Federation, until today (20).

Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justices Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Justice Dhammika Ganepola made this order pursuant to a writ petition filed by former President of the FFSL Jaswar Umar Lebbe.

In his petition, the petitioner is seeking an Order in the nature of a Writ of mandamus directing the Sports Minister and Ministry Secretary and sports authorities to conduct a fresh election of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka.

The Petitioner states that he was compelled to file this petition against the wrongful actions of the Sports Minister which resulted in the Petitioner together with the duly elected office bearers of FFSL being suspended from office almost overnight.

Senior Counsel Eraj de Silva with Counsel Daminda Wijayaratne, Zul Luthufi instructed by Dimuthu Kuruppuarachchi appeared for the petitioner. 

President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena appeared for the newly elected office bearers of FFSL. Additional Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawardena PC appeared for the Attorney General.