Sri Lanka main opposition prevented from taking action against Muslim Congress

A Sri Lankan court today has prevented the main opposition United National Party leader from taking any disciplinary action against the members of the major Muslim party, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and its leader.

Colombo District Court has issued the order preventing UNP leader Ranil Wickremasinghe from taking disciplinary action against the SLMC leader, Justice Minister Rauf Hakeem, and six members of the party. The court order is valid until February 24, local media reported.

The SLMC, which contested the April 2010 general elections as a constituent partner of the UNP-led United National Front, voted with the Government in supporting the 18th Amendment to the Constitution while remaining with the opposition led by Wickremasinghe.

The party officially crossed over to the government side in last November.