6 April 2021 12:00 am
By Yoshitha Perera
The Court of Appeal yesterday dismissed without hearing the writ petition filed by lawyers of imprisoned Ranjan Ramanayake seeking an injunction restraining him from losing his parliamentary seat.
The petition was taken up before a two bench panel comprising Justices Arjuna Obeyesekere and Mayadunne Corea.
Announcing the verdict, Court of Appeal Judge Arjuna Obeysekera stated that there was no legal basis for this petition.
Mr. Ranjan Ramanayake, who is serving a prison sentence, has stated in his petition, he has received information that there are plans to revoke his parliamentary seat as he was imprisoned for Contempt of Court.
Earlier, President’s Counsel Faiz Mustafa 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 under the Constitution.
He also added that the charge which had been placed upon his client was not a criminal offence to revoke his parliamentary seat.
However, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Indika Devamuni de Silva, appearing for the Attorney General, objected when considering the petition, 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 appearing for petitioner Ranjan Ramanayake requested Court that his client, Mr. Ramanayake’s imprisonment, will reach three months on April 8 and hence, requested the Court to issue the above order before that date.