MR, 48 others file appeal in SC

Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa and 48 others who were prevented from functioning as Prime Minister and ministers by the Appeal Court yesterday filed an appeal in the Supreme Court seeking to set aside the interim order preventing them from doing so in their respective offices.

On Monday, the Court of Appeal issued an Interim Order restraining Mr. Rajapaksa and 48 other respondents from functioning in the offices of Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, non-cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers until the final hearing and determination of the Writ of Quo Warranto filed by 122 parliamentarians.

The Bench comprising Justices P. Padman Surasena (President/ CA) and Arjuna Obeysekara also issued notices on the respondents returnable for December 12.

Petitioners in their appeal to the Supreme Court also sought an interim order to set aside the Appeal Court’s interim order and dismiss the writ of Quo Warranto. They are asking the Supreme Court to stay the effect of the said order of the Court of Appeal until the hearing and determination of their appeal application.