MR appeals to SC against CA interim order

• Rajapaksa and 48 others file appeal before Supreme Court
• Ask SC to issue stay order on Court of Appeal interim order    

By S.S. Selvanayagam

Mahinda Rajapaksa and 48 others yesterday filed appeals in the Supreme Court petitioning it to set aside the Interim Order issued by the Court of Appeal against them functioning in their respective offices.

The Court of Appeal on Monday (3) issued an Interim Order restraining Rajapaksa and 48 other respondents from functioning in the offices of Prime Minister, Cabinet Minister, non-Cabinet Minister and Deputy Minister until the final hearing and determination of the writ of Quo Warranto filed by 122 Parliamentarians from different parties disputing Rajapaksa and the 48 from holding office.

The bench, comprising justices P. Pathman Surasena (CA President) and Arjuna Obeysekara, also issued notices on the respondents returnable for 12 December.

The petitioners, in their appeal to the Supreme Court, also sought an interim order setting aside the CA’s interim order or dismissing the writ of Quo Warranto. They are asking the Supreme Court to stay the effect of the Court of Appeal’s order until the hearing and determination of their appeal application.