UNP dissident group joined Rajapaksa government earlier this year

Colombo additional Magistrate issued the notice as a result of a petition to the courts by his former colleagues from the United National Party (UNP).

The notice was issued asking Ranil Wickramasinghe to present a statement to court by 21st of August to prevent an Interim Stay Order being issued against him.

Party constitution 'violated'

The petition brought to the court by former UNP Member of Parliament, Anura Bastian and Provincial Council member Anil Kumara Wijesinghe challenges UNP leader’s authority to sign an MOU with the Mahajana faction of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.

It says the leader had exceeded his authority and worked against the party constitution.

The petitioners ask the court to stop the implementation of the MOU which was signed on 19th of July by Ranil Wickramasinghe and former foreign minister Mangala Samaraweera.

12 members of the UNP rebel group including the ministers Karu Jayasuriya had presented affidavits to the courts supporting the petition.