A fundamental rights (FR) petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a ruling that the appointment of Dhammika Perera as a National List MP of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) violates the Constitution.
The petitioner, Pakyasothi Saravanamuttu, Executive Director of the Vikalpa Policy Centre, argues when a National List seat becomes vacant in Parliament, only a person whose name is included in the nominations submitted for the districts at the General Election or whose name appears on the National List can be appointed. Perera’s appointment was in violation of Article 99 (a) of the Constitution in the event that his name was not included in the nomination list or the SLPP National List, the petitioner pointed out.
Saravanamuttu also argued that since Dhammika Perera is a businessman involved in a number of sectors including banks, financial institutions, estates and energy, his appointment as a MP and as a Minister could create a serious bias, thereby seeking a ruling that his fundamental rights have been violated via his appointment.
SLPP Secretary General Sagara Kariyawasam and a number of others have been cited as respondents in the petition.
MIAP
