The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka commenced the hearing of a petition filed by ministers Manusha Nanayakkara and Harin Fernando yesterday (12).
The petition challenges the decision of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to expel the duo from the party and disqualify them from their parliamentary seats.
The legal proceedings took place before a bench of judges.
Representing Nanayakkara, Faiszer Musthapha argued that the SJB's decision to suspend his client's party membership is unlawful.
Musthapha stressed that, as per the party's constitution, only the ‘working committee’ has the authority to oust party members, and neither the SJB leadership nor the ‘disciplinary committee’ holds such powers.
Musthapha pointed out that the disciplinary committee's role is to file charges against members who have violated the party's constitution and conduct inquiries into such cases.
Despite Nanayakkara obtaining an injunction from the District Court (DC) against party membership suspension, he was expelled from the SJB based on a notice from the SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara.
The further hearing of the petition, which names leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa and SJB general secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara as respondents, has been scheduled for 24 October.
(themorning.lk)
