MP seat: CoA dismisses Ranjan’s writ petition

The Court of Appeal yesterday dismissed the writ application filed by lawyers of imprisoned Ranjan Ramanayake seeking a stay order of him losing his parliamentary seat.

The petition was taken up before a two bench panel comprising Justices Arjuna Obeyesekere and Mayadunne Corea.

delivering judgment, Court of Appeal President Arjuna Obeysekera stated that there was no legal basis for the application.

Ranjan Ramanayake, who is serving a prison sentence, has stated in his petition, that he has received information of plans to revoke his parliamentary seat as he was imprisoned on charges of Contempt of Court.

President’s Counsel Faiz Mustapha appearing for Mr. Ramanayake informed Court that his client had been imprisoned on charges of Contempt of Court and there was no legal basis for revoking his parliamentary seat in terms of the Constitution. He further submitted that the charge that had been placed against his client was not a criminal offence to revoke his parliamentary seat.

However, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Indika Demmuni de Silva, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, objected to the application, pointing out that the Court of Appeal had no jurisdiction to grant the relief sought by petitioner Ranjan Ramanayake.

Earlier, Attorney-at-law Suren Fernando who also appeared for the petitioner Ranjan Ramanayake informed Court that, Mr. Ramanayake’s imprisonment term will reach three months on April 8 and hence the need for a determination by Court before such date. (YOSHITHA PERERA)