The Supreme Court has rescheduled the Expulsion Petition brought forth by former State Minister Diana Gamage, contesting her removal from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party, to May 28.
During the hearing, the court will be apprised of Diana Gamage's position on the matter. Justices Gamini Amarasekara, Kumuduni Wickremasinghe, and Mahinda Samayawardena, comprising the Supreme Court three-judge bench, have set this date.
However, in a separate application, the Supreme Court ruled that Diana Gamage is ineligible to serve as a Member of Parliament due to her non-citizenship status in Sri Lanka, thereby rendering her unable to hold office as an MP.
In her petition, Diana Gamage seeks a declaration that her expulsion from the SJB, conveyed to her via a letter dated October 8, 2021, violates the SJB's constitution. She contends that the decision to expel her from party membership was unjust and breached principles of natural justice.
Gamage states that her expulsion from the party followed her vote in favor of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution. She emphasizes her role as an independent Member of Parliament, acting in accordance with her conscience as mandated by the SJB Party's Constitution.
Diana Gamage names several respondents in her petition, including the SJB General Secretary, Chairman Sajith Premadasa, Secretary General of Parliament, the Chairman of the Election Commission, and members of the Election Commission.
Additionally, she seeks a declaration from the court asserting that the disciplinary inquiry conducted against her violates principles of natural justice and procedural fairness, rendering it null and void in the eyes of the law.
