Colombo District Court today issued notice on former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha and SLFP General Secretary Anura Priyadarshana Yapa to appear before court on January 26.

Notice was issued on leaders of the UPFA over a case filed by Prasanna Solangarachchi, former chairman of the Kotikawatte – Mulleriyawa Pradeshiya Sabha, for expelling him from the party.

Solangaarachchi said he was expelled from the party without a proper inquiry and therefore the expulsion was “unconstitutional”.

Solangaarachchi was removed from the party after he pledged support to Maithripala Sirisena, who was then the Common Candidate of the opposition.

During the presidential election period, all the defectors of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, including its former General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena, were expelled from the party without conducting inquiries. However, the expulsions were done with unanimous consent of the  Central Committee of the party.