• Petition to be taken up for support on January 18

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda  

The Election Commission yesterday informed the Supreme Court that it has taken all steps to hold the Local Government Election in accordance with the law.  

President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris appearing for the Election Commission made these remarks when a writ petition filed by a retired army Colonel in respect of the Local Government Election was taken up before Supreme Court three-judge-bench headed by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya.  

The Court was informed that Saliya Pieris PC is appearing for the Election Commission and thereby the Attorney General would not represent the Commission.  
In his petition, Colonel Wijesundera had sought an order quashing the decision of the Election Commission to hold the Local Government elections that is to be held before March 10 as reported by media. 

 
Meanwhile, Counsel Sudesh Madanayake appearing for the petitioner said that senior counsel Sujeewan Hendavitharana would support the application on next hearing date and gave an undertaking to amend the caption of the petition.  

The Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justice S. Thurairaja and Justice Janak de Silva fixed the petition to be taken up for support on January 18.  

Several intervenient petitioners including executive committee member of the National People’s Power (NPP) Sunil Watagala and National organizer of the Socialist Youth Union Eranga Gunasekara had filed intervention petitions seeking an order to dismiss the petition filed by Colonel (Retd.) W.M.R. Wijesundera.