Lawyer’s petition against Presidential election dismissed with Rs. 500,000 cost

Colombo, July 15 (Daily Mirror)- The Fundamental Rights petition filed by a lawyer seeking a declaration that the Presidential election should not be held without a referendum on the 19th amendment to the Constitution, was dismissed by the Supreme Court with a Rs. 500,000 cost a short while ago.

The Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justice Arjuna Obeysekera and Justice Priyantha Fernando decided to dismiss the petition citing that there is no merit in the petition.

The petitioner was ordered to pay the cost before July 31 this year.

In his petition, Attorney-at-Law Aruna Laksiri challenged the holding of a Presidential election this year under the provisions of the 19th amendment to the Constitution, as he believes that the 19th amendment was not properly passed with a referendum.