The Colombo District Court today issued an enjoining order restraining the Liberal Party (LP) office bearers from expelling Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha from the Party or functioning as the Party Leader.

District Court Judge Harsha Setunga made this order sequent to a lawsuit filed by Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha, a founder member of the Liberal Party established in January 1987.

The enjoining order would be effective until August 19, sources said.

In his petition, Prof. Wijesinha had named Swarna Amaratunga the LP President, Kamal Nissanka General Secretary, Rathnasiri Kottage the Treasurer and four others as defendants.

President’s Counsel Nigel Hatch appearing for the plaintiff stated that his client had been illegally expelled from the party following a meeting of the National Committee on 26-07-2015 in the absence of the Plaintiff who is the Party Leader. He further stated that according to the best of the knowledge, information and belief of the Plaintiff, the meeting was attended by few committee members and was illegal, arbitrary and of no force and effect in law.

The President’s Counsel added that he was aware that several office bearers and Party members have opposed the Plaintiff’s purported expulsion from the Party. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)