Sarath Ekanayake vs Tikiri Kobbekaduwa et al. – 62/2015-2015

In the case between Sarath Ekanayake, Chief Minister of the Central Provincial Council (Petitioner) and Tikiri Kobbekaduwa (Former Governor of the Central Province), Anuradha Jayaratne, T.B. Tennakoon, United People’s Freedom Alliance, United National Party, and others (Respondents), the court addressed the legality of the Petitioner’s prospective removal from office as Chief Minister by the Governor based on alleged loss of majority support in the Council. It was held that the Petitioner satisfied the procedural requirements for the application, and the main preliminary objections—including those challenging both the maintainability and cognizability of the reliefs sought—were premature at the interim stage. The principle reaffirmed was that interim judicial relief may be warranted where