Petition on SLFP Chairman taken up

The petition filed in Colombo District Court demanding the reinstatement of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as party Chairman was taken up for consideration today.

The petition was filed by two former All-Island Central Committee members of the SLFP Aruna Priyashantha and Asanka Srinath.

Subsequently, the counsel appeared on behalf of the respondents raised objections before court as there were no legal grounds to continue with the petition.

District Court Judge Sanath J Morawaka allowed the petitioners to advertise the petition in newspapers and set the next hearing for February 20.

The petitioners argue that Maithripala Sirisena contested the 2015 Presidential Election as the common candidate under other parties leaving the SLFP and therefore he cannot hold the Chairman post of the party.

The petitioners also demand that their membership of the SLFP All-Island CC be restored.

They have named SLFP General Secretary Duminda Dissanayake, former General Secretary Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and Elections Commissioner as respondents. (Shehan Chamika Silva)