Court orders UNP Leader, General Secy to file objections

Sandasen MARASINGHE

The Colombo District Court yesterday ordered UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and its General Secretary Tissa Attanayake to file objections in connection with taking measures to suspend the party membership of Wattala Pradeshiya Sabha Deputy Chairman Anthony Michael Cooray.

Colombo District Judge Sampath Wijeratne also extended the enjoining order that restrained the Chairman of Committee to Conduct Disciplinary Inquiry of the UNP V. Pathirajah and two other members of the Committee from informing Wickremesinghe and Attanayake that Cooray’s party membership had been suspended.

The Court also extended the enjoining order issued staying them from informing the District Returning Officer that Cooray’s party membership had been suspended.

The plaintiff filed the plaint last month alleging that he learnt the UNP was taking steps to suspend his party membership without giving him a chance to be heard. The UNP was attempting to suspend his membership on the basis that he violated the UNP Constitution by his act of supporting the Government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to overcome the burning issues faced by the country.

The plaintiff prayed before Court to declare that his party membership had not been suspended.

Cooray cited the UNP, Wickremesinghe, Attanayake, Pathirajah and two others as respondents. The hearing was put off for August 31.

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