Case challenging RW's parliamentary seat postponed to the 26th

Colombo (News1st): The writ petition filed by Colombo Municipal Councilor Shermila Gonawala challenging the Parliamentary Seat of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was taken up at the Court of Appeal today (Feb 12). Speaking to the Media, Municipal Councilor Sharmila Gonawela noted that the case was postponed to the 26th when the opposing faction filed preliminary objections. She added that they have an opportunity to respond to these on the 26th. The petition was filed claiming Ranil Wickremesinghe cannot hold a Parliamentary Seat as he is the main shareholder in a private company named Lake House Printers & Publishers that generates revenue through services provided to government institutions. Sharmila Gonewala in her petition notes that according to the constitution, a member of parliament cannot enter into business transactions with the government. The petitioner had, therefore, requested the Court of Appeal to issue a Quo warranto writ petition prohibiting Ranil Wickremesinghe from holding his parliamentary seat. Filing preliminary objections the counsel representing Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe requested the two-judge bench comprising of Court of Appeal Judges Shiran Gunarathne and Priyantha Fernando, to reject the petition. President's Counsel K. Kanag-Isvaran said that the petition is based on photocopies that had not been certified. The President's Counsel requested the court to reject the petition as article 3 of the rules and regulations of the Supreme Court.  Documents without their original copies cannot be considered. The President's Counsel added that documents on an agreement said to be reached by Ranil Wickremesinghe had not been presented. Presidents Counsel Uditha Igalahewa representing the petitioner said that the originals copies of the cheques of the said incident had been attached to the petition. The matter was postponed to the February 26th and the petitioners were ordered to submit their responses to the preliminary objections.

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