CoA verdict awaited to grant leave for Ranjan

SJB will have to wait till the Court of Appeal gives its verdict on MP Ranjan Ramanayake who is convicted of contempt of court to present a motion to grant leave for him, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene said today.

The Speaker said this in response to a question raised by Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa as to why he rejected the leave motion.

“Mr. Ramanayake is a prisoner as he has been convicted of contempt of court by the highest judicial institution of this country. There is no provision for Mr. Ramanayake to appeal against the verdict. The opposition makes allegations against me for allowing MP Premalal Jayasekera to come to Parliament. He is only a remand prison and had filed an appeal against his verdict. A remand prisoner can come to Parliament as per the law,” the Speaker said.

Besides he said there is time for the SJB to move the leave motion as the House will be convened for another week during this month and will be convened once again during the first week in April.

Mr. Prmadasa said there is a serious issue when it comes to then execution of duties by Speaker Abeywardene, “You are treating the government MP Jayasekera and opposition MP Ramanayake differently.

Therefore there is a serious issue pertaining to the execution of your duties,” he said.

“What would happen if we wait till April to present the leave motion on behalf of him. What would happen if the sessions would again get postponed as the result of the current pandemic situation aggravates?” he questioned. (Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)