Interim order for Prime Minister and cabinet

Interim order for Prime Minister and cabinet

3.30 pm Update

The Appeal Court issued an interim order temporarily restraining functioning of Rime Minister Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa and the cabinet. This will be in force till next 12th and the petition will be taken into consideration once again. Appeal Courts also issued summons today (3) to Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa and incumbent cabinet to appear before Appeal Court on next date of petition.

This interim order will be in force till the writ petition stating that there is no legal possibility for Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa and present government to hold such positions as filed by leader of United

National Party Mr. Ranil Wickramasingha and 122 members of parliament is inquired into. All matters were forwarded and finished for the second day today (3) and the judgement was given at 3.30 this afternoon. The petition was heard by Appeal Courts judge Prithipadman Surasena and Arjuna Obeysekera bench of judges and the verdict was given after that. As there is no legal right for to hold Premiership and cabinet to hold ministerial portfolios the said petition has made a request to make such appointments null and void. Under this decision there is no Prime Minister and members of parliament.

3.30 pm Update

During the process of announcing the Prime Minister's decision, a 'Pohottu' rally has been organised in Maradana. When the judgement was forthcoming, an affiliated organisation of Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna  called Maradana Jathika Ekamuthuwa a public rally was organised under the name 'Janavaramata avasarai'. As a consequence a traffic congestion was observed in Maradana and environs. This rally in fact was organised in close proximity there in order to show the strength of the masses to courts.

3.00 pm Update

Both government and opposition lawyers including politicians have by now rocked to courts to see the judgement of the legitimacy of Prime Minister Mahinda which case is heard in Appeal Courts today. (Pictures by Krishan Kariyawasam).

2.30 pm

A petition filed by United National Party that Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa and and his present cabinet has no legitimacy was called for the second day today (3) and after all matters were presented and finished, the Supreme Court decided to announce the judgement at 3.00 in the afternoon.

As such, the bench of judges made a decision to announce whether the petition will be taken for inquiry. The petition referred to has been filed by Mr. Ranil Wickremasingha, leader of United National Party inclusive of 122 members of parliament. As Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa has no right to hold the position of Premiership as well as ministerial portfolios of the said cabinet and therefore to make such appointments null and void, as requested in the petition. The petition is being heard in the presence of the bench of judges of Appeal Courts, Messrs. Prithipadman Surasena and Arjuna Obeysekera.