Controversial Jaffna MP Archchuna remains interdicted from service as a medical doctor: AG tells court

• The Court of Appeal granted additional time for the respondent parties, including Dr. Archchuna, to file objections to the petition

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda 

The Attorney General yesterday informed the Court of Appeal that Jaffna District Parliamentarian Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna remains interdicted from service due to a pending disciplinary inquiry.  

Senior Additional Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawardena, appearing on behalf of the Secretary to the Ministry of Health, made this revelation when the writ petition challenging Dr. Archchuna’s eligibility to serve as a Member of Parliament was called before the Court of Appeal. 

Dharmawardena further informed the Court that documents substantiating that MP Archchuna remains interdicted from service have already been filed before court.   

Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal granted additional time for the respondent parties, including Dr. Archchuna, to file objections to the petition. Counsel N.K. Ashokbharan, representing the petitioner, requested the Court to fix the matter for an earlier date, citing the urgent nature of the case.  

The two-judge bench of the Court of Appeal, comprising Justice Mayadunne Corea and Justice Mahen Gopallawa, fixed the petition for hearing on May 14 to consider the issuance of notices and interim relief as requested by the petitioner.  

Social activist Oshala Herath filed this petition seeking an order in the nature of a Writ of Quo Warranto declaring that Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna is disqualified to be a Member of Parliament. 

 
The petitioner stated that Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna is a public officer attached to the Ministry of Health and, therefore, as a public officer, he has a contract with the state.  

The petitioner stated that Article 91(1)(e) of the Constitution bars individuals who hold any interests in public contracts from election as a Member of Parliament.   

The petitioner further stated that Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna functioned as Cover up Medical Superintendent of Chavakachcheri Base Hospital and was later annexed to the Teaching Hospital of Peradeniya. The petitioner stated that Dr. Archchuna’s Facebook profile, on or about 29th September 2024 publicly disclosed that he was interdicted pending disciplinary action by the then Secretary to the Ministry of Health.   

Therefore, the petitioner stated that Dr. Archchuna is disqualified to be a Member of Parliament under and in terms of Article 91(1)(d) and 91(1)(e) of the Constitution.  

Counsel N.K.Ashokbharan with Shenal Fernando appeared for the petitioner. Senior Counsel Senany Dayaratne instructed by Thushari Jayawardena appeared for Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna.