Supreme Court rules party expulsion of Athuraliye Rathana Thera’s membership invalid

Saturday, 14 October 2023 01:49 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Supreme Court yesterday determined that the Ape Janabala Party’s decision to expel Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera from party membership is not legally valid.

This ruling paves the way for Ven. Rathana Thera to continue his role as a Member of Parliament despite his expulsion from the party.

The three-judge bench, consisting of Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare, Murdu Fernando, and Janak de Silva, unanimously held that the decision to expel the petitioner from the ‘Ape Janabala Pakshaya’ based on the purported decision of the Disciplinary Committee is deemed illegal. President’s Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardena, alongside Rukshan Senadheera, represented the petitioner in this case. On the other side, President’s Counsel Farman Cassim appeared on behalf of the Ape Janabala Party, while Counsel Nilshantha Sirimanne and Deshara Goonetilleke represented the fourth respondent. Deputy Solicitor General Avanti Perera appeared for the Attorney General.