A petition has been filed in the Court of Appeal seeking an order to invalidate the parliamentary seat of Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala.
The petition was submitted by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Administrative Secretary Renuka Perera, naming Minister Wijepala, the Secretary-General of Parliament, and the Attorney General as respondents.
The petitioner claims that Wijepala was appointed as Public Security Minister on November 18, 2024, but was later reported to have been appointed as the President’s Chief of Staff, according to a report published on the Sunday Times on December 10, 2024. Perera said Wijepala’s appointment to the President’s staff had been confirmed by a Right to Information (RTI) request.
Citing Article 91 of the Constitution, the petition argues that a state official cannot hold a parliamentary seat or vote in Parliament, making Wijepala ineligible to serve as an MP.
The petition requests the court to declare Wijepala disqualified from holding a parliamentary seat and issue an interim order preventing him from attending Parliament and voting until a final ruling is made.
Additionally, it seeks an interim order preventing him from functioning as the Public Security Minister. (Newswire)