Tuesday Jun 23, 2026
Tuesday Jun 23, 2026
Tuesday, 23 June 2026 06:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
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| Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala |
The Supreme Court yesterday granted special leave to appeal against a Court of Appeal ruling that dismissed a petition challenging the parliamentary eligibility of Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala.
A three-judge bench comprising Justices Janak De Silva, Menaka Wijesundera and Sampath Wijeratne granted leave to proceed with the appeal and fixed the matter for argument on 3 November.
The appeal was filed by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna activist Renuka Dushyantha Perera, who is seeking a declaration that Wijepala was disqualified from serving as a Member of Parliament.
In the original petition, the petitioner alleged that Wijepala, while serving as an MP, had also held the position of Chief of Staff to the President, which, according to the petitioner, rendered him a public officer and therefore ineligible to continue as a Member of Parliament.
The petitioner further sought a declaration that Wijepala was not entitled to sit or vote in Parliament and was disqualified from holding office as an MP.
The Court of Appeal dismissed the writ application on 7 May 2025 after upholding a preliminary objection raised by the Attorney General. The objection argued that the petitioner had failed to name the necessary parties as respondents in the action.
Counsel Vishva Vimukthi appeared for the petitioner, while President’s Counsel Geoffrey Alagaratnam represented Minister Wijepala.
