The Supreme Court on Tuesday (02) lifted the interim ban imposed on Vavuniya Municipal Council and its Mayor S. Kandeepan, allowing the council to resume functioning. However, the restriction against Deputy Mayor Parameswaran Karthipan will remain in force.
The Court of Appeal had earlier issued an interim order halting the activities of the council and restraining both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor from acting in their positions, following a writ petition filed by the National People’s Power (NPP) challenging Karthipan’s election.
Hearing the appeal against that order, the Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Janak de Silva, Sobitha Rajakaruna, and Menaka Wijesundara annulled the restrictions on the council and the Mayor, stressing that a body elected by the people cannot be kept paralyzed for long periods.
The Court directed that while the Deputy Mayor remains barred from functioning, if he voluntarily resigns, the Municipal Council Secretary must accept the resignation and cannot refuse on grounds of the case being pending.
President’s Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran appeared for the Vavuniya Municipal Council and Mayor Kandeepan. President’s Counsel Nizam Kariapper represented Deputy Mayor Karthipan, while President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris appeared for the petitioners. (Newswire)