Supreme Court approves Dhammika Perera’s appointment to Parliament

The Supreme Court today refused to grant leave to proceed with five petitions filed challenging the appointment of Businessman Dhammika Perera as a Member of Parliamentarian.

Accordingly, a majority of a divided three-judge-Supreme Court bench decided to dismiss these petitions at the beginning of court proceedings (in limine).

Following this order, Dhammika Perera will be able to take oaths as a Member of Parliamentarian and a Government Minister without any legal impediment.

A three Judge bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justices Priyantha Jayawardena, Yasantha Kodagoda and Arjuna Obeysekera made this order after perusing the writ applications.

On Monday (20), Dhammika Perera through his lawyer gave an undertaking before the Supreme Court that he would not take oaths as a Member of Parliamentarian or a government Minister until the Supreme Court made an appropriate order.

Five petitioners including Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), Journalist Roel Raymond, writer Gamini Viyangoda had filed petitions challenging the appointment of businessman Dhammika Perera to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, as a Member of Parliament.

President's Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran, Geoffrey Alagaratnam PC, Senior Counsel Suren Fernando, Viran Corea, Pulasthi Hewamanne appeared for the petitioners.

President's Counsel Romesh de Silva with counsel Sanath Wijewardena appeared for Dhammika Perera. President's Counsel Gamini Marapana with Navin Marapana PC appeared for SLPP General Secretary. Deputy Solicitor General Kanishka de Silva appeared for the Attorney General.