UNP restrained from action against Grero
by Sarath Malalasekera
Colombo District Judge G.A.D. Ganepola, in an order, restrained the
UNP leadership, Party Secretary and his agents from taking any further
action against UNP Parliamentarian Condagamage Mohan Lal Grero of
speaking and voting in favour of the Budget.
The District Judge also ordered the defendants in the case to file
their objections on or before January 26.
On the last hearing date, former Colombo District Judge W.R.R.N.
Watupola issued an enjoining order restraining the UNP Leadership from
expelling or conducting any disciplinary action against MP Mohan Lal
Grero.
The enjoining order was further extended till January 26. The Judge
allowed an application by the respondents to file their objections on
January 26.
The Petitioner Mohan Lal Grero, in his petition, alleged that he was
a member of Parliament and the first defendant Ranil Wickremesinghe was
the leader of the UNP in terms of the Parliamentary Elections Act and
the UNP had amended the Constitution on December 12,2010 which had not
been communicated to the Commissioner of Elections in terms of Section 8
(2) of the Parliamentary Election amended Act No.1 of 1981.
The petitioner also claimed that at the second reading of the Budget
on November 30,2011, acting with his conscience and his right under the
Constitution as a member of Parliament, he voted for the Budget in
favour of the Government.
Senior Counsel Faiszer Musthapha who appeared with Attorney Namal
Rajapaksa for the plaintiff Mohan Lal Grero contended that the
allegations against Mohan Lal Grero are false and malicious.
As a member of Parliament and in terms of the Constitution, it is
within the plaintiff’s legal rights to vote in favour of the second
reading of the Budget.
The Counsel also submitted that the working committee meeting was
held on December 7, effectively leaving no sufficient time for the
plaintiff to show cause.
|