Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) parliamentarian Diana Gamage has filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking an order declaring the party's decision to expel her from the SJB null and void.
The petitioner has named 11 respondents including SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Chairman Sajith Premadasa, Parliamentary Secretary Dhammika Dassanayake and Election Commission Chairman Nihal G. Punchihewa and its members, and Elections Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayake.
Furthermore, the petitioner alleged that the respondents did not allow a fair disciplinary inquiry before expelling her and alleged that this was a violation of the legal principle of natural justice.
Diana Gamage said that she was issued a charge sheet after she voted for the 20th Amendment to the Constitution in Parliament and a disciplinary committee was appointed to inquire into the charges against her.
She said that appointing a disciplinary committee is a violation of the Party’s constitution and that she had informed the party chairman without any response.
She said that the decisions taken by the Party President and the General Secretary have no legal bearing as they still hold UNP membership.
Accordingly, she has requested the Supreme Court to issue an order revoking the SJB’s decision to suspend her party membership.
