Mahinda Rajapaksa files appeal in apex court against interim court's order
Colombo: Embattled Mahinda Rajapaksa on Tuesday filed an appeal in Sri Lanka's Supreme Court against a court order that barred him from acting as Prime Minister. The Supreme Court has set the hearing of the appeal for December 12 and 13.
The Court of Appeal in an interim order on Monday temporary halted Rajapaksa and his Cabinet from functioning in their positions in response to a case filed by 122 legislators against his disputed government.
MP Gamini Lokuge said the appeal was filed in the Supreme Court against the interim order issued by the Court of Appeal, Daily Mirror reported. Rajapaksa had said on Monday that he would appeal against the Court of Appeal's interim order. "We will not agree with the interim order issued by the Court of Appeal today suspending the Cabinet. We will appeal to the Supreme Court first thing tomorrow against it," Rajapaksa said in a statement. He said that it was the Supreme Court which has the power to interpret the Constitution.
As many as 122 parliamentarians of Wickeremesinghe's United National Party (UNP), Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and Tamil National Alliance last month filed a petition in the Court of Appeal challenging Rajapaksa's authority as the prime minister. The Court of Appeal ordered 49 members of Rajapaksa's Cabinet to appear in court on December 12 to respond to the petition and show by what authority they hold office.
The interim ruling was a major blow to both President Maithripala Sirisena and Rajapaksa after the former had appointed his ex-rival as the prime minister on October 26, plunging the country into a major constitutional crisis. Sirisena later dissolved Parliament, almost 20 months before its term was to end, and ordered snap election.
The Supreme Court overturned Sirisena's decision to dissolve Parliament and halted the preparations for snap polls.
Addressing a gathering of his Sri Lanka Freedom Party activists here Tuesday, President Sirisena said people have different opinions on the recent court rulings. "I always accept the court rulings but people's opinion on the recent court rulings on political cases are diverse and some criticize them," he said.
He has also said earlier that he would never recall Wickremesinghe to be the PM again because of the serious differences with him. "He is not a political leader suitable for the country", he said.
However, the UNP insists that Sirisena will be left with no choice as Wickremesingh commands the confidence in the House. Making clear that appointing a Prime Minister was not Sirisena's personal choice, Wickremesinghe told reporters: "A prime minister is decided by parliamentary majority. President can't decide what he wants. All we are saying is follow the Constitution. Don't be like Hitler and other dictators".
