Appeal Court dismisses petition concerning Parliamentary seat of PM Wickremesinghe

The Appeal Court today (May 21) dismissed the petition challenging Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's Parliamentary seat by citing that it did not have jurisdiction to hear the case.

Colombo Municipal Councillor Sharmila Gonawela had filed the petition seeking the removal of the Premier as a parliamentarian.

The petitioner argued that Mr. Wickremesinghe could not hold a parliamentary seat since he was a shareholder of a private company which engages in trade dealings with the government.

However, during today's hearing, court upheld the preliminary objections raised by the respondents who argued that the Appeal Court was not vested with the jurisdiction to hear the case.

The Prime Minister, United National Party (UNP) General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, and the Secretary General of Parliament were named as respondents in the case.

President's Counsel K Kanag-Isvaran, along with Attorneys Suren Fernando and N. Arulpragasam appeared for the Prime Minister during the hearing. MP Kariywasam was represented by Attorneys Suren Fernando and Khyati Wikramanayake.