BY

STANLEY SAMARASINGHE

The Supreme Court yesterday ordered Nihal Ranasinghe, Controller of Immigration and Emigration, to refrain from deporting Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) Leader, Premakumar Gunaratnam alias Noel Mudalige, until 13 February.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice K. Sripavan and Justices Sarath de Abrew and Anil Gunaratne made this order after hearing the submissions of President’s Counsel (PC), Romesh de Silva.

The Court, while making this order, informed the PC to support the Fundamental Rights application filed on behalf of Gunaratnam on 13 February.

The PC said the Petitioner is a citizen of Sri Lanka who had obtained an engineering degree from the Peradeniya University.

The PC submitted, “He had received death threats from the then government in power, while engaging in political activities. Thereafter, he went to Australia, obtained citizenship in that country and came back to Sri Lanka.

“In Australia he legally changed his name as Noel Mudalige and came to Sri Lanka in September 2011 and in April 2012.

The Petitioner was kidnapped and abducted by unknown forces in a white van and tortured him. Then the Australian Embassy in Sri Lanka intervened and made representations. Thereafter, he was deported to Australia.

“In 2014 the petitioner applied to come to Sri Lanka. He was granted visa and after coming back he commenced political activities.

“Now the authorities are taking steps to deport him.”

The PC submitted that Gunaratnam is a Sri Lankan citizen and that he is entitled to engage in political activities.
“The petitioner requests the Court to permit him to remain in Sri Lanka and grant citizenship on the premise that he will renounce the citizenship of Australia,” the PC submitted.

President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva appeared with Sugath Caldera, Manjuka Fernandopulle and Nuwan Bopage.

Courtesy:Ceylon Today