By Roy Denish.
Archchuna Ramanathan seat case returns Aug. 31 as Court of Appeal hears a petition challenging the MP’s eligibility to remain in office.
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — The Archchuna Ramanathan seat case will return to the Court of Appeal on Aug. 31, when judges hear arguments challenging his eligibility to remain in Parliament.
The matter came before court today. However, proceedings were postponed because the full judicial bench was not complete.
Archchuna Ramanathan Seat Challenge
Oshala Herath, leader of the Abhinawa Niwahal Peramuna party, filed the writ of quo warranto petition. He claims Ramanathan was still serving as a government medical officer when he submitted nomination papers for the recent general election.
The petitioner argues that a public servant cannot submit election nominations without first resigning from state service. Therefore, the petition claims Ramanathan breached the Parliamentary Elections Act and asks court to declare him legally disqualified from holding office.
After the petitioner’s counsel asked for an expedited hearing, the Court of Appeal placed the Aug. 31 matter first on its roster.
Attorneys N.K. Ashokbharan and Shenal Fernando appeared for the petitioner. Attorneys Senani Dayaratne and Nishadi Wickramasinghe represented Ramanathan, while Deputy Solicitor General Manohara Jayasinghe appeared for the state.
