Court extends restraining order against Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe

The Colombo District Court has prolonged the restraining order issued against Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, barring his function as Chairman and member of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). This extension remains effective until June 25, 2024.

Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe assumed the role of Acting Chairman of SLFP during an executive committee meeting convened on April 21, by the faction led by former President Maithripala Sirisena.

However, on April 24, the Colombo District Court intervened with an injunction order, obstructing Minister Wijeyadasa from executing duties as the Acting Chairman of SLFP.

Additionally, the court issued an injunction order preventing MP Sarathie Dushmantha Mithrapala from serving as the General Secretary of SLFP. Concurrently, another injunction was issued to halt the implementation of decisions made by the SLFP Acting General Secretary.

These injunctions stemmed from a complaint lodged by Ministers Mahinda Amaraweera, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, and Member of Parliament Duminda Dissanayake.

Despite the legal setback, Minister Rajapakshe subsequently filed a petition with the Court of Appeal, contesting the order issued by the Colombo District Court, which restrained his role as the Acting Chairman of SLFP.

On May 07, the Court of Appeal dismissed Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe's petition seeking suspension of the interim injunction issued by the Colombo District Court.