Court of Appeals extends status quo in Ramanayakes case Sumanthiran tells Court there is confusion over "status quo" in Parliament

The Court of Appeal yesterday further extended its Interim Order directing the  Secretary General of Parliament (SGP) to maintain status quo (maintain existing state of affairs) regarding the parliamentary seat of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Gampaha District Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake, until March 16.

Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justice (President) Arjuna Obeysekera and Justice Sobhitha Rajakaruna made this order consequent to a writ petition filed by Ranjan Ramanayake claiming his rights to function as a Parliamentarian.

This petition is to be taken up for support on March  16 and status quo regarding the petitioner's parliamentary seat will be operated until that date.

President's Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran appearing appearing for Ranjan Ramanayake informed court that Faiz Mustapha PC is indisposed and he will be appearing for the petitioner when it is taken up for support.

'There seems to be some confusion what is meant by status quo since the Speaker of the Parliament yesterday made a comment suggesting that the status quo where Ramanayake has not attended parliament sessions and that must be maintained. That is wrong understanding. That is the problem of education system in Sri Lanka,' Sumanthiran added.

On January 11, the Supreme Court convicted Ranjan Ramanayake for the offence of contempt of court and sentenced him to a term of four years rigorous imprisonment.

The petitioner is seeking an order restraining Secretary General of Parliament from taking any steps to inform the Election Commission that he has vacated his seat as a Member of Parliament.