Ranil involved in business while holding political portfolio?

Ranil involved in business while holding political portfolio?

A petition filed at Appeal Court yesterday goes to say that Ranil Wickremasingha while holding a position of member of parliament he he enjoying shares at Lake House as well and since he is involved in business companies of the state he is not suitable to hold membership in parliament.

Under these circumstances a petition was forwarded by Mrs Shermila Gonawela on behalf of Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna requesting that a a quo warranto writ be released preventing him from

functioning as a member of parliament. The motivation in this instance is an attempt to  suspend Mr. Wickremasingha's position of member of parliament until the time the petition is subjected to consideration.

Lake House in fact functions as a state-owned establishment where shares are owned by the Wijeywardena family. The ownership of shares belonging to Mr. Wickremasingha's family later of course shifted to Mr. Wickremasingha. What is reflected on records is that Mr.Wickremasingha is linked to this institution only as a shareholder. Shareholders of an company are no bounding to engage in business decisions or other business agreements. Therefore, attorneys at law point out that no accusation can be aimed at Mr. Wickremasingha about engaging in state institutions or or other business agreements. Though he owns shares, as he is not a member of the board of directors. However if he really was, he would be then guilty of this accusation.

The article according to the parliamentary constitution, what is indicated as not being suitable to becoming a member of parliament is:

'91 (c): 'If the parliament says that any person has any form of connection with any agreement with the state or government corporation or else on behalf of the state or a government corporation and is selected as a parliamentary member or occupies a seat in parliament and votes in parliament is considered as not eligible; is deemed as a person not eligible to vote in parliament and to occupy a seat in parliament or to be selected as a member of parliament in having such connection for such an agreement'. 

Prior to this, Mr. Rajitha Senaratna was accused with a similar allegation and his membership in parliament was abolished because he held such a position in parliament while directly holding an executive position in his own company and that was during the Ranil Wickramasingha period of government.

Mrs. Shermila Gonawela of Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna has informed that she would be holding a media discussion in this connection. Whatever it is, whether this will be taken into consideration has still not been decided. Shown below is how Ranil's name appears as a shareholder of Lake House for a long period of time