A petition has been filed with the Court of Appeal seeking a writ of certiorari to nullify Rural Development Minister Upali Pannila’s parliamentary seat.
The petition filed by social activist Oshala Herath states that Upali Pannila was also working as a government servant when he contested the last general election.
The petitioner claims that Pannila was also working as a professor at the University of Ruhuna when he was appointed as a minister.
The petitioner has requested that this order be issued on the grounds that being a government servant while being appointed as a Member of Parliament is against the Constitution and is a disqualification for being appointed to Parliament.
The petition names Minister Upali Panni, the Secretary General of Parliament, the University of Ruhuna and its Vice-Chancellor as respondents.
The court decision to expel State Minister Diana Gamage was also based on a case filed by Oshala Herath.