Judges split in Diana’s citizenship verdict

Three Member Bench to hear case again

September 14 set to consider facts before new panel of judges

The Court of Appeal yesterday decided to hear the Writ petition filed over Diana Gamage’s citizenship issue before a Court of Appeal three-judge-Bench after the court yesterday delivered a split verdict regarding the petition.

The decision regarding the related petition was to be announced yesterday (25).

But the Court of Appeal two-judge-Bench comprising Justice (President) Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice M.A.R.Marikkar delivered a split verdict.

In this petition filed by activist Oshala Herath, the petitioner is seeking an order declaring State Minister Diana Gamage is disqualified to be a Member of Parliament since she is a British citizen.

Accordingly, it was decided to call the petition before the Court of Appeal again on September 14 to consider the facts before a new panel of judges.