Srilanka, Feb. 18 -- The Attorney General raised preliminary objections before the Court of Appeal yesterday, seeking the dismissal of a petition that challenges the eligibility of Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala to hold a parliamentary seat.

The petition, filed by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Governing Secretary Renuka Perera, was heard by a Court of Appeal bench comprising Acting President Justice Mohamed Lafar Tahir and Justice K.M.S. Dissanayake.

Additional Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawardena, representing the Attorney General, argued that essential parties had not been named as respondents in the petition. He pointed out that the President's Chief of Staff is appointed by the President's Secretary under the President's...