Legal challenge filed against ousted Sri Lankan PM

Colombo, Dec 11 (IANS) A local Sri Lankan Municipal Councillor on Tuesday filed a petition in the Court of Appeal against ousted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe continuing to be a member of Parliament.The petition was filed by Colombo Municipal Councillor Sharmila Gonawala, Xinhua news agency reported.In addition, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, General Secretary of Wickremesinghe's political party -- the United National Party (UNP) -- and Parliament's Secretary General Dhammika Dissanayake were also named as respondents in the case.The petition was filed in the Court of Appeal amidst a political crisis ongoing in the country, after President Maithripala Sirisena on October 26 sacked Wickremesinghe and appointed former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new Prime Minister.The Wickremesinghe-led UNP alleged that the President's move was illegal as Wickremesinghe enjoyed a majority in Parliament.Rajapaksa and his government were earlier temporarily suspended from holding public office till December 12, after 122 lawmakers filed a petition in a court saying the government did not hold a majority in Parliament as it had been defeated in two no-confidence motions.Later this week, the Supreme Court is also expected to issue a crucial verdict on President Sirisena's decision to dissolve Parliament and hold a snap parliamentary election.
--IANS soni/bg