Due to his pledge of loyalty to President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming presidential election, Ali Zahir Moulan, the Deputy Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), is the subject of disciplinary action.
On August 16, MP Moulana of Batticaloa District joined the administration of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
“The successor to Nasir Ahmed also runs the risk of losing his parliamentary seat.”
According to party sources, the goal of the SLMC action was to deny Moulana his parliamentary seat. On October 17, 2023, Moulana took the oath of office as an MP following the Supreme Court’s confirmation of the SLMC’s decision to expel Nasir Ahmed, the party’s then-environment minister, the day before.The SC denied Ahmed’s petition in opposition to that ruling under Article 99(13)(a) of the Constitution. Ahmed lost his seat as a result of his vote in favour of the SLPP budget for 2021, despite the party’s decision.
According to sources, MP Moulana was asked to provide an explanation in seven days by SLMC Secretary M. Nizam Kariapper for his decision to switch allegiance to President Wickremesinghe in exchange for an affidavit stating that he was willing to follow party decisions at all times. The letter was dated August 17.
The parliamentarian consented to accept disciplinary actions, including suspension from the party, in the event of any violation, according to an affidavit dated June 22, 2024, which the SLMC gave The Island.The SJB’s decision to fire Ministers Manusha Nanayakkara and Harin Fernando for breaking party decisions by pledging allegiance to then-Prime Minister Wickremesinghe in May 2022 was upheld by the Supreme Court last week.
Moulana has been informed by Kariapper that they will not be receiving any more time to reply to their letter.
