MR's interim injunction appeal postponed until March 14

The appeal petition filed challenging the Appeal Court's interim injunction on the functioning of Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister has been postponed until March 14 by the Supreme Court today (Feb 05).

During today's hearing, the lawyers representing the respondents in the appeal petition had informed court that his clients would possibly withdraw the writ petition filed at the Appeal Court which led to the interim injuction being issued on Mr. Rajapaksa. He had also told court that the signatures of parliamentarians are currently being obtained in order to withdraw the writ petition.

Meanwhile, the plaintiffs in the case had informed court that they would withdraw the Supreme Court appeal petition if the respondents withdraw their write petition as stated before court.

Therefore, Justices Buwaneka Aluvihare and Murdu Fernando ordered that the case would be posptoned until March 14.

Accordingly, the interim injuction which was issued by the Appeal Court will continue to be in effect until the hearing of the appeal petition is concluded.

Former President Rajapaksa in his appeal petition had called for a verdict by the Supreme Court to nullify the Appeal Court's verdict claiming that it was invalid and erroneous.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, 122 parliamentarians, 49 ministers and deputy ministers have been named as respondents in the appeal petition.

Another appeal petition challenging the interim order was also filed by MPs Johnston Fernando, Chamal Rajapaksa, Dinesh Gunawrdena, and Wijedasa Rajapaksa. The appeal was filed since the Appeal Court had issued an interim order barring them from functioning as cabinet ministers.