They said they would boycott sessions for a week

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana  

Some opposition political parties including, SJB, Jathika Jana Balawegaya, independent MPs Patali Champika Ranawaka walked out of Parliament announcing that they would boycott sessions for a week.   

Accordingly, a majority of a divided three-judge-Supreme Court bench decided to dismiss these petitions at the beginning of court proceedings (in limine).  
Following this order, Dhammika Perera will be able to take oaths as a Member of Parliament and a Government Minister without any legal impediment. 

 
On Monday (20), Dhammika Perera through his lawyer gave an undertaking before the Supreme Court that he would not take oaths as a Member of Parliament or a Government Minister until the Supreme Court made an appropriate order.  

Five petitioners including Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), Journalist Roel Raymond, writer Gamini Viyangoda had filed petitions challenging the appointment of Dhammika Perera as a Member of Parliament.  President’s Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran, Geoffrey Alagaratnam PC, Senior Counsel Suren Fernando, Viran Corea, Pulasthi Hewamanne appeared for the petitioners.  

President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva with counsel Sanath Wijewardena appeared for Dhammika Perera.