The Writ of Quo Warranto, filed by 122 MPs challenging Mahinda Rajapaksa’s continuation in office, is likely to be withdrawn in January aiming to allow crossover SLFP MPs who held ministerial and deputy ministerial positions in the purported government to take up posts in the current government.

Ranil

Government legal experts have pointed out that SLFP MPs who held positions in the purported government cannot be sworn in as ministers or deputy ministers due to the interim order issued by the Court of Appeal earlier this month. The Interim Order prevented members of the purported government from functioning in office.

They have also stated that there is no point in proceeding with the case as former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has already resigned from his purported position.

The appeal filed by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa against the Court of Appeal interim order will be heard in the Supreme Court on January 16,17 and 18. The Supreme Court has given the appeal leave to proceed but has refused to stay the interim order issued by the Court of Appeal.

SLFP crossover MPs Manusha Nanayakkara, A.H.M. Fowzie, Vijith Wijayamuni Zoysa, Lakshman Seneviratne and Indika Bandaranaike held positions in the purported government.

Informed government sources said the UNP was also working towards forming a “national government” with the sole objective of increasing the number of Cabinet portfolios.

“There are two ways of forming a national government – either we can seek the support of SLFP MPs or we can form a national government with the SLMC MP in Parliament. Both avenues are currently being looked at, ” a senior UNP spokesman said last night.

However, the formation of a national government should be presented to Parliament by way of a motion and should have the approval of the House.

The JVP has already made it clear that it will not support any motion to form a national government using “loopholes” in the Constitution.