Update : Appeal Court requested to dismiss quo warranto petition ; next hearing on Dec 03

The President's Counsel Gamini Marapana, appearing on behalf of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, appealed to the Court of Appeal to dismiss the petition which sought to disqualify Mahinda Rajapaksa from holding the post of Prime Minister at its earliest.

President's Counsel said that the no confidence motion brought against the Prime Minister including the cabinet was illegal and that the Speaker had summoned Parliament illegally, when Parliament was dissolved. He argued that the no confidence motion was taken in accordance with the Standing Orders.

Further, he said the Court of Appeal has no authority to consider the petition before the Supreme Court ruling on the filed fundamental rights petitions against the dissolution of Parliament.

President's Counsel Romesh de Silva said this petition was part of parliamentary proceedings and that the Court of Appeal had no authority to inquire into this petition.

The next hearing on the case will be on December 03.