AGs Dept. wants Ranjan's application dismissed as it has no legal ground

Colombo (News 1st); The Attorney General's Department told the Court of Appeal that the application made by Ranjan Ramanayake requesting for an interim order to be issued preventing an attempt to make his parliamentary seat vacant has no legal ground and is baseless.

Senior Additional Solicitor General Indika Demuni de Silva appearing for the Attorney General, therefore, requested the Court of Appeal to dismiss the application without granting permission for examination. President's Counsel Faisz Musthapha appearing for Ramanayake told the Court of Appeal that his client was sentenced for contempt of court. As it is not a criminal offense there is no legal provision to vacate Ranjan Ramanayake's parliamentary seat even if he was sentenced by the court, pointed out President's Counsel Faisz Musthapha. The Court of Appeal further extended to the 19th of March, the order made to the Secretary-General of Parliament not to take any action regarding the parliamentary seat of Ranjan Ramanayake. On the 12th of January, the Supreme Court found Ranjan Ramanayake guilty of contempt of court and sentenced him to 04 years in rigorous imprisonment. Thereafter Ranjan Ramanayake filed a Writ Application with the Court of Appeal requesting for an interim order to be issued preventing the attempt to make his parliamentary seat vacant. The Attorney General and the Secretary-General of Parliament were named as respondents in the application.