Chief Justice recuses himself from ex-envoy Jaliya Wickramasuriya’s petition

Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya had recused himself from hearing a Writ Petition filed by Sri Lanka’s former Ambassador to the United States Jaliya Wickramasuriya.

The petition had been filed by Wickramasuriya requests the court to declare the decision taken by the Foreign Affairs Ministry unjustly to revoke his diplomatic immunity was unlawful.

When the petition was taken up for hearing on Thursday (12 June) by a three-member panel of judges comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, and Justices Vijith Malalgoda and Murdu Fernando, the Chief Justice declined to sit on the bench citing personal reasons.

Accordingly, the bench fixed the appeal for consideration on 11 October.

Jaliya Wickramasuriya says the Foreign Ministry, without any inquiry, decided to revoke diplomatic immunity given to him when he served as the Ambassador to the US.

The Writ Petition filed by Jaliya Wickramasuriya challenging the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s decision to revoke his diplomatic immunity had been dismissed by the Court of Appeal without consideration on 29 March last year.

Through the petition to the Supreme Court, Jaliya Wickramasuriya requests the Apex court to set aside the Court of Appeal order.