Colombo District Court Rejects Diana Gamage's Petition Against SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa and Gen. Sec Ranjith Madduma Bandara

November 24, 2023

Colombo District Court Rejects Diana Gamage's Petition Against SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa and Gen. Sec Ranjith Madduma Bandara

In a significant legal development, the Colombo District Court has dismissed the petition filed by State Minister Diana Gamage, in which she sought an interim order declaring that Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa and General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara are unfit to hold their positions within the party.

State Minister Gamage's petition argued that, according to the SJB's constitution, individuals who are members of another political party are not eligible for membership in the SJB. The petitioner further contended that both Sajith Premadasa and Ranjith Madduma Bandara have pending court cases related to their membership in another political party, thereby making them ineligible to hold positions within the SJB.

Gamage urged the Colombo District Court to issue an interim order, asserting that it is unlawful for Sajith Premadasa and Ranjith Madduma Bandara to continue holding their respective leadership roles in the SJB until the pending court cases regarding their party memberships are resolved.

However, the Colombo District Court, after careful consideration, rejected the petition, indicating that the court was not convinced by the arguments put forth by State Minister Diana Gamage. The decision implies that, at least for the time being, Sajith Premadasa will continue in his role as the leader of the SJB, and Ranjith Madduma Bandara will retain his position as the General Secretary.