The Supreme Court's three-judge panel scheduled to hear State Minister Diana Gamage's petition challenging her expulsion from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) was postponed as the bench was not properly constituted.
Subsequently, a two-judge bench comprising Justices S. Thurairaja and Kumuduni Wickremasinghe deferred the matter for further argument until February 28.
In her petition, Diana Gamage contests her expulsion from the SJB, asserting that it violated the party's constitution and principles of natural justice. She emphasizes her independent voting on the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, asserting her role as a Member of Parliament rather than a government member.
Gamage has named SJB General Secretary, Chairman Sajith Premadasa, the Secretary General of Parliament, the Chairman of the Election Commission, and several others as respondents.
She seeks a declaration that the disciplinary inquiry against her was conducted unfairly and thus invalid.
President's Counsel Faiszer Musthapha, alongside Counsel Shaheeda Barrie, Mehran Careem, and Amila Perera, represents Diana Gamage, while President's Counsel Faisz Musthapha, with Counsel Keerthi Tillekaratne, appears for SJB leader Sajith Premadasa. President’s Counsel Jayampathy Wickramaratne, with Farman Cassim PC, represents the SJB General Secretary.
