Deputy General Secretary P’ment files legal action against speaker

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana 

The issue pertaining to the Deputy General Secretary and Chief of Staff Parliament Chaminda Kularatne has turned into a legal issue with the former filing a petition against Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa, and General Secretary Kushani Rohanadeera in the Court of Appeal. In addition Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunatilaka, Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake, Minister Anil Jayanatha and Assistant General Secretary General Parliament Hansa Abeyratne, and Inquiring Officer S. K. Liyanage have also been named as respondents of the petition.    Kularatne has called for a interim order to be issued against his interdiction by the Speaker, Leader of the Opposition,Chief Opposition Whip and the Leader of the House have been made respondents as they had recommended Kularatne to the post and then being members of the staff advisory committee. He has also called for the respondents to pay legal costs to him.   

The petitioner said the Speaker, General Secretary of Parliament and Inquiry officers have been named as main respondents. The Opposition has been fighting against the interdiction of Kularatne and have raised questions with regard to his interdiction in Parliament several times.