Maithripala Sirisena abandons claim for SLFP chairmanship

• CA allows petitioner to withdraw contempt of court application following the settlement  

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

Former President Maithripala Sirisena, through his counsel, informed the Court of Appeal yesterday that he would not claim the rights to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) chairmanship in the future.   

President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne, appearing on behalf of the former President, informed the court that the contempt of court application filed against his client for allegedly disregarding an order issued by the Colombo District Court concerning the SLFP chairmanship could potentially be resolved. He assured the court that his client would refrain from claiming rights to the SLFP chairmanship in the future.   

SLFP activist Montague Sarathchandra had filed this application, seeking an order to punish Maithripala Sirisena for the offence of contempt of court, alleging a violation of the interim injunction issued by the Colombo District Court on April 24, 2024.   

When the contempt of court application was taken up before the Court of Appeal, presided over by Justice (President) Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice Shashi Mahendran, President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne reiterated that the matter could be resolved. He emphasised that his client would not pursue claims to the SLFP chairmanship in the future.   

Senior Counsel Shantha Jayawardena, appearing for the petitioner, endorsed the settlement, and the court subsequently permitted the petitioner to withdraw the contempt of court application.   

The Colombo District Court had issued an interim injunction on April 24, 2024, preventing former President Maithripala Sirisena from functioning as the chairman of the SLFP.   

The petitioner alleged that despite the Colombo District Court’s interim injunction, respondent Sirisena purported to style himself and function as the Chairman of the SLFP until May 12, 2024.   

The petitioner stated that on May 12, 2024, Maithripala Sirisena had addressed a letter to Deputy Secretary of the SLFP Sarath Ekanayake citing his resignation from the office of the chairman. The petitioner further stated that according to this letter, Sirisena said that he discharged the responsibilities of the office of chairman of SLFP until his resignation on May 12, 2024. He further alleged that the respondent has brought the authority of the District Court and the administration of justice into disrespect or disregard.