A member of the Colombo Municipal Council representing the Sri Lanka Podjana Peramuna (SLPP) named Sharmila Gonawela has filed a petition in the Court of Appeal seeking a Quo Warranto order to prevent Ranil Wickremesinghe from continuing as an MP. 

In her petition, Gonawela said Wickremesinghe was disqualified from being considered Member of Parliament as his appointment is illegal for the reason that a company he was involved with was doing business with state organizations and institutions which was prohibited. 

The company in question is one known as 'Lake House Printers and Publishers', owned by Wickremesinghe's extended family, but at which he owns shares. 

Gonawela, who is co-chair of an organization called ‘Women for Justice’ has asked that Wickremesinghe is made to show by what authority he claims to hold office as a member of parliament.