The Colombo District Court has issued an interim injunction suspending the implementation of a letter issued by the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) to remove Colombo Municipal Councillor Sohara Buhari from party membership.
The SLMC had taken disciplinary action against the councillor, alleging that she voted in favour of the National People’s Power during the Colombo Municipal Council budget vote.
The interim injunction was granted after the court considered a petition filed by Sohara Buhari. The order will remain in effect for a period of 14 days.
The court has also directed that notices be served on SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem and the party’s General Secretary Nizam Kariapper, who have been named as respondents, requiring them to present their positions regarding the petition.
In her petition, Sohara Buhari stated that she voted in favour of the National People’s Power during the budget vote held on December 31. She further noted that her party membership was suspended on the same day, and that she was instructed to submit an explanation by way of an affidavit within seven days. According to her statement, she received the relevant notification on January 2.
The councillor also claimed that when she visited the SLMC headquarters on January 9 to submit her objections, they were rejected in an unfriendly manner, following which a letter was issued removing her from party membership.
The petition contends that the SLMC’s decision to revoke her membership without conducting a fair inquiry was unlawful, and seeks a court declaration rendering the decision null and void.
