The Colombo District Court issued an injunction prohibiting Maithripala Sirisena from serving in the role of Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.
This legal order, effective until April 18, was granted in response to a request made by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.
Former Sri Lankan President, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, has formally petitioned the Colombo District Court, seeking a permanent injunction to remove Maithripala Sirisena from his position as Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.
The basis for this request is the assertion that he is unsuitable for the role.
On behalf of former President Bandaranaike, President’s Counsel Chandaka Jayasuriya, along with Attorneys Amila Dissanayake, and Purnima Ratnayake instructed by Attorney-at-Law K. M. S. R. Perera made submissions to Colombo District Court Judge Sandun Vithana.
The attorneys emphasized that Maithripala Sirisena’s continued occupancy of the post of Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party constitutes a breach of the party’s constitution.
They pointed out that as per the party’s constitution, Maithripala Sirisena is eligible to serve as Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party during his tenure as the country’s president. However, post-presidency, he is designated as the party’s patron by official decree.
They argued that Maithripala Sirisena simultaneously holding the positions of party patron and chairman is inconsistent with the party’s constitutional framework.
Furthermore, they highlighted before the District Court that the Supreme Court had determined the infringement of fundamental rights during a trial concerning the Easter attack, and the Court also deemed the decisions made by Maithripala Sirisena during the 52-day government upheaval as erroneous, rendering him ineligible for the party chairmanship.
Given this context, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga petitioned the district court for a permanent injunction restraining Maithripala Sirisena from serving as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.
She also requested an interim injunction to suspend his authority until the matter could be fully adjudicated.
In her plea to the district court, she underscored the necessity for an injunction to remain in force until the interim order was deliberated upon.
After due consideration of the pleas, Colombo District Judge Sandun Vithana issued an injunction prohibiting Maithripala Sirisena from functioning as party chairman until April 18th.
Simultaneously, the District Court issued injunctions against Acting Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, Sarathi Dushmantha Mitrapala, Senior Vice President Nimal Siripala de Silva, and Vice President Faizer Mustafa, preventing the implementation of any decisions made by Maithripala Sirisena.