Writ petition against Sri Ranga and office bearers of FFSL fixed for argument

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda

The writ petition filed by former President of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) Jaswar Umar Lebbe seeking an Order in the nature of a Writ of mandamus directing the Sports Minister Ministry Secretary and sports authorities to conduct a fresh election of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka was yesterday fixed for argument on March 8 and March 24 by the Court of Appeal.

The Deputy Solicitor General who appeared on behalf of the Attorney General and the Sports Minister moved for further time to file objections. Senior Counsel Eraj de Silva appearing for the petitioner made submissions that the purported office bearers who are now in control have no legitimacy and stressed that the FFSL was suspended by FIFA because of the very same reason.
The Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprised Justice (President) Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice M.A.R. Marikkar.  President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena appeared for the newly elected office bearers of FFSL.

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. Deputy Solicitor General Manohara Jayasinghe appeared for the Attorney General.