Writ application of MP Ranjan Ramanayake Opposition to file motion in SC challenging Court of Appeal order

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said yesterday they would file a motion in the Supreme Court challenging the order given by the Court of Appeal with regard to the writ application filed by the lawyers of convicted MP Ranjan Ramanayake.    The Court of Appeal on Monday issued the writ application filed by lawyers of imprisoned Ranjan Ramanayake seeking a stay order of him losing his parliamentary seat.   

Also, Mr. Premadasa requested the Speaker to allow the SJB to present the motion to seek leave for Mr. Ramanayake.   

Speaker who responded said he cannot allow it as the Court of Appeal has not informed of anything about its judgement with regard to writ application. “I cannot do anything till the courts inform me about its decision,” the Speaker said.  “I don’t have the power to expel anyone from Parliament,” he added.   Meanwhile, a heated argument flared up when Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said Mr. Ramanayake had informed him that he is in prison today because of Mr. Premadasa and MP R. Sampanthan as they have prevented him from producing 103 witnesses during the hearing of the case on contempt of court. 

“Mr. Premadasa and Mr. Sampanthan have prevented Mr. Ramanayake from producing witnesses as they had a plan to take Mr. Ramanayake’s case to Geneva. However, Mr Ramanayake had not been in favour of such a move. He informed me of this position,” Mr. Aluthgamage said.   

Mr. Premadasa denied this and requested the Speaker to expunge the remarks made by Mr. Aluthgamage. However, chief Government Whip Johnston Fernando said it cannot be expunged as Mr. Aluthgamage has not used any unparliamentary language. “Mr. Aluthgamage has not used any unparliamentary language,” Mr. Fernando said.     

• Mr. Premadasa requested the Speaker to allow the SJB to present the motion to seek leave for Mr. Ramanayake