Colombo District Judge issues enjoining order:

SLMC restrained from suspending Baiz

Sandasen MARASINGHE

Colombo District Judge Sampath Wijeratne yesterday issued an enjoining order restraining the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress General Secretary Hassan Ali from suspending the party membership of Deputy Minister K. Abdul Baiz from the SLMC.

The Court also issued another enjoining order restraining United National Party and its General Secretary Tissa Attanayake from taking action to suspend Deputy Minister Baiz from sitting in parliament by informing the Secretary General of the Parliament based on the same suspension from the party membership of the SLMC.

The Court issued the order following SLMC member and Deputy Minister K. Abdul Baiz’ plaint before the District Court stating that the issuance of a letter suspending his party membership based on a news item published in a newspaper, without any inquiry was a total violation of natural justice.

Plaintiff Baiz cited 28 defendants including the SLMC, its leader Rauf Hakeem, Hassan Ali, the UNP and Tissa Attanayake as respondents.

The plaintiff stated that he was a member of the SLMC. The SLMC contested at the last general election under the flag of the UNP. But according to the pact between the two parties disciplinary inquiries and actions in respect of SLMC members would be taken only by the SLMC.

The plaintiff, Deputy Minister Baiz stated that the SLMC members joined the government including their leader. Later, a few crossed back to the opposition while three of them including the plaintiff remained in the government.

The plaintiff further said based on a news item published in a newspaper on January 29 which stated that the plaintiff was appointed as the Puttalam District Organizer of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party the SLMC General Secretary sent him a letter on February 24 suspending his party membership.

The plaintiff also stated that he was not appointed as the SLFP organizer to the Puttalam District but he was only appointed as the organizer of the ruling party for the Puttalam electorate. When he informed the matter to the newspaper it also carried a correction.

The plaintiff further stated that although he kept the SLMC informed of this situation they neglected to consider his explanation. The SLMC unanimously decided to cancel his membership from the SLMC without any inquiry or without hearing what he has to say.

The Court also issued an interim injunction notice returnable on April 08.

Attorney M.M.M. Ali Sabri appeared for the plaintiff instructed by Athula de Silva.