No swearing in of Dhammika Perera as MP today as per undertaking given to SC?

By Chitra Weerarathne

President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva yesterday gave an undertaking to the Supreme Court that his client, Dhammika Perera, would not change the status quo today. In view of this undertaking, the Supreme Court, at 3.45 p.m. yesterday, fixed the hearing of the fundamental Rights Violation application, filed by the Centre for Policy Alternatives, for today.

The petition filed by the Centre for Policy Alternative and its Director Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu has complained that Dhammika Perera was not in the National List of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, submitted to the Commissioner of Election, prior to the general election in August 2021. He could not fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Basil Rajapaksa.

M.A. Sumanthiran, President’s Counsel, supported the fundamental rights violation petition filed by the Centre for Policy Alternatives. Counsel Viran Corea, appeared for another petitioner named Chandra Jayaratne, Counsel Suren Fernando supported a petition by Roel Ramand against the inclusion of Dhammika Perera in the SLPP National List.

Romesh de Silva, PC, appeared for Dhammika Perera.

Gamini Marapana, PC, appeared with Navin Marapana, PC, for Sagara Kariyawasam, the General Secretary of the SLPP, made a respondent in the petition.

The bench comprises Justice Priyantha Jayawardene, Justice Yassantha Kodagoda and Justice Arjuna Obeysekera.

Deputy Solicitor General Kanishka de Silva, appeared for the Attorney General.