A petition has been filed with the Court of Appeal seeking to invalidate the parliamentary seat of Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala.
The petition, submitted by Renuka Perera, Administrative Secretary of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), names Minister Wijepala, the Secretary General of Parliament, and the Attorney General as respondents.
The petition raises concerns over Wijepala’s eligibility to serve in Parliament, citing his appointment as the President’s Chief of Staff in addition to his role as Minister of Public Security.
The petitioner points to Article 91 of the Constitution, which states that individuals holding public service positions are ineligible to sit or vote in Parliament.
Perera claims that a request made under the Right to Information Act confirmed that Wijepala had been appointed to the Chief of Staff position, a state role that the petitioner argues disqualifies him from holding a parliamentary seat.
The petition requests the Court of Appeal to declare Wijepala unqualified to serve in Parliament in accordance with the Constitution and to annul his parliamentary seat.
It also calls for an interim injunction to prevent Wijepala from sitting in Parliament, acting as Minister of Public Security, or voting in Parliament until a final ruling is made.
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