The petition filed by Parliamentarian Diana Gamage challenging the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) for expelling her from party membership was today fixed for argument by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court three-judge bench comprising Justices Priyantha Jayawardena, Kumuduni Wickremasinghe, and Achala Wengappuli fixed the petition to be heard on June 8.
In her petition, Diana Gamage said she had been expelled from the party following her decision to vote in favor of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution. The petitioner said she is not a member of the government but a member of parliament acting with independence and in accordance with her conscience, as demanded by the SJB Party’s Constitution.
Diana Gamage has cited the SJB General Secretary, its Chairman, Sajith Premadasa, the Secretary General of Parliament, the Chairman of the Election Commission, members of the Election Commission, and several others as respondents.
The petitioner is also seeking a declaration that the decision to expel her from the SJB, communicated to her via letter dated October 8, 2021, is made in violation of the constitution of the SJB. Gamage stated that the party’s decision to expel members was unlawful and contrary to natural justice.