Judgement reserved for May 15

Wasantha RAMANAYAKE

The Supreme Court reserved the judgement in the case filed by Disaster Relief Services Minister Ameer Ali against his expulsion from the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), for May15.

The Bench comprised Justice Asoka de Silva, with Justice Jagath Balapatabendi and Justice S.I. Imam.

Petitioner Ali complained that the SLMC had communicated its decision dated February 24, to expel him from the SLMC. The petitioner stated that the decision was invalid and had no force in law.

The petitioner stated he had been expelled from the SLMC allegedly for being a member of the All Ceylon Muslim Congress(ACMC). He stated that he had never been a member of the ACMC although he had been associated with the organization.

He stated that several other SLMC members too have been associated with the ACMC. He stated that the he had been expelled from the party, without being heard. He sought a declaration that the decision to expel him from the SLMC was null and void and that he has not ceased to be a Member of the Parliament.

The petitioner cited SLMC, its Leader Rauf Hakeem, SLMC Secretary General M.T. Hassan Ali, Acting Parliamentary Secretary General Dhamika Kitulgoda and the Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake as respondents.

President's Counsel D.S. Wijesinghe with M.S. Saheed and Kaushalya Molligoda appeared for the petitioner.

Nizam Kariappar appeared for the respondents.

Deputy Solicitor General S. Rajaratnam appeared for the Elections Commissioner. The judgement was reserved for May15.