Hearing of petition filed by Ministers Manusha Nanayakkara and Harin Fernando, challenging the decision taken by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to oust them from the party and disqualify them of their parliamentary seats, commenced before the Supreme Court on Thursday (Oct. 12).

Justices Vijith Malalgoda, Achala Vengappuli and Arjuna Obeysekera sat for today’s legal proceedings.

Appearing on behalf of Minister Nanayakkara, President’s Counsel Faiszer Musthapha told the judge bench that the main opposition’s decision to suspend his client’s party membership is entirely unlawful.

Pursuant to the party’s constitution, he said that only the Working Committee is authorized to oust party members, noting that neither Party Leadership nor the Disciplinary Committee has such powers.

The president’s counsel said the Disciplinary Committee is only tasked with filing charges against and conducting inquiries into the members who are found to have violated the party’s constitution.

Musthapha said his client had been expelled from the SJB as per a notice from its general secretary despite Nanayakkara having obtained an injunction from the district court against party membership suspension.

Speaking further, he said the Supreme Court’s verdict backing Sri Lanka Muslim Congress’ decision to expel Minister Naseer Ahamed from the party is irrelevant to this case.

Subsequently, further hearing of the petition, of which Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and SJB’s General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara were named as respondents, was fixed for October 24.