Court orders not to act on Ranjan’s MP seat

The Court of Appeal today (05) ordered the Secretary General of Parliament to refrain from taking any action regarding the Parliamentary seat of MP Ranjan Ramanayake until Feb. 12.

The order was issued by judges Arjun Obeysekera and Mayadunne Corea today.

The petition filed by MP Ranjan Ramanayake seeking an interim injunction preventing the removal of his Parliament seat due to his imprisonment, was taken up for consideration today.

Accordingly, the Secretary General of Parliament will be unable to inform the National Election Commission that the seat has been made vacant.

Further consideration of the petition will take place on Feb. 11.

Meanwhile, at a media briefing, Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP – Lakshman Kiriella says that the Speaker – Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene must take a suitable decision pertaining to imprisoned MP Ranjan Ramanayake over his Parliament privileges.

MP Kiriella charged that the Speaker was responsible for setting a negative precedent where individuals charged with murder were allowed to enter Parliament at a time that the verdict over MP Jayasekera’s appeal has not been announced.

The Parliamentarian requested the Speaker to allow MP Ramanayake to enter Parliament, on the same basis that MP Jayasekera was allowed entrance, as MP Ramanayake has filed two appeals before the Supreme Court and the Appeals Court.

MP Kiriella claimed the Elections Chief had also ordered MP Ramanayake’s seat to be protected for the next six months.