Attorney General Dappula de Livera has advised Secretary General of Parliament that Ranjan Ramanayake’s seat in Parliament has fallen vacant.
Attorney General is of the view that due to Ranjan Ramanayake’s conviction and sentence for contempt of Court he is not a member of Parliament anymore.
Meanwhile Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and General Opposition have decided to officially request Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa to honor MP Ranjan Ramanayke’s right to attend the Parliamentary sessions set for the next two days (19 & 20).
In a tweet, MP Mano Ganeshan said that party leaders of the SJB were informed of this decision.
The opposition is expected to claim that the matter of attending parliamentary sessions lies beyond the judiciary and that it lies within the purview of the Parliament.
SJB and opposition representatives pointed out to Speaker today that as Premalal Jaysekara who is in death row was allowed in the house, Ramanayake too should be allowed in sessions.
MP Ranjan Ramanayke was sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment on 12 January for contempt of court. (NewsWire)