When the Leave to Appeal Application filed by the former President Maithripala Sirisena came up for Support yesterday (28th February) before the Civil Appeal High Court Negombo, a further date was sought.
The Counsel appearing on behalf of the former President informed the Court that Faiszer Musthapha, PC, had been retained to support the Leave to Appeal Application on behalf of the Former President Sirisena, and as it was not a convenient date for Mr. Musthapha, he sought another date for Support.
Shammil Perera PC, the Senior Counsel for the Plaintiff strongly objecting to the application by the Counsel for the Petitioner informed Court that when the Application was taken up for Support previously, a date had been moved by the 1st Defendant – Petitioner, stating that the Counsel for the Former President Sirisena Sumith Senanayake President Counsel was out of the country at the time.
Perera further stated to Court that a series of dates had been moved to file answer in matters before the District Court of Negombo on Monday (27th February) being the latest date, and a further date had been moved on behalf of the first defendant, former President Sirisena, to file answer.
The Presidents’ Counsel informed court that the first defendant- Petitioner was trying to delay the proceedings against him.
Additional Solicitor General Ravindra Pathirana PC, appearing on behalf of the second defendant-respondent, President Ranil Wickremasinghe and 6th defendant-respondent the Attorney General, informed court that the application of the petitioner did not have merit and could not be maintained, and that he would make submissions in this regard on the next date.
Considering the circumstances as aforesaid, Court refixed the Application for Support to 15 March 2023.
Attorney-at-Law Pulasthi Rupasinghe appeared for the first Defendant-Petitioner, former President Sirisena.
Additional Solicitor General Ravindra Pathirana, PC, appeared for the second defendant respondent President Ranil Wickremesinghe and sixth defendant respondent the Attorney General.
Presidents’ Counsel Shammil Perera with Varuna Senadhira, Dilum Fernando, Ishan Razeen, Indika Bandara Abeykoon appeared for the Plaintiff – Respondent.