News
Court nullifies interim order obtained by diplomat against Foreign Ministry
View(s):By Ranjith Padmasiri
The Court of Appeal has dissolved an interim injunction preventing the removal of B.R.P.M.A. Devendra from the position of minister from Sri Lanka’s Counsel General office in Melbourne, Australia.
Mr Devendra obtained an injunction against the implementation of a Foreign Ministry directive issued on August 15.
The interim injunction was dissolved after Senior Additional Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawadana, PC, made submissions to court.
Mr Devendra served in the administrative service and not in the Foreign Service and had been sent to serve on a contract basis, the court was told.
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath had issued a directive to recall Mr Devendra in July.
Counsel Shantha Bandara, appearing for Mr Devendra, argued that the Attorney General cannot intervene after the court suspended the directive given by the minister.
However, Mr Dharmawardana alleged that facts had been concealed from courts in obtaining the stay order.
State Counsel Abigail Jayakody, appearing on behalf of the Foreign Secretary Aruni Ranaraja and Director General of Human Resources of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sumith Dissanayake, said that after his diplomatic visa ends, Mr Devendra cannot remain in the country.
Justice Udaya Karalliyaada, with Justice Dr Frank Gunawardena agreeing, held that the interim injunction was being dissolved as initial relief had been obtained when the diplomatic visa status had ended and the matter was not disclosed to courts.
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!