Writ petition against holding LG elections for Matara Municipal Council dismissed by SC

• Petition dismissed taking into account the preliminary objections raised by Election Commission  

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

The writ petition filed by an Independent Group seeking an order preventing the Election Commission from holding the local government elections in respect of Matara Municipal Council was yesterday dismissed by the Supreme Court.  

The three petitioners including the leader of the Independent Group Chaminda Prasanga Gunasekera filed this writ petition seeking an order quashing the Election Official’s decision to reject their nomination papers submitted for the Matara Municipal Council.   

The Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare, Janak de Silva and Priyantha Fernando decided to dismiss the petition taking into account the preliminary objections raised by the Election Commission.  

Counsel Nuwan Bopage appeared for the petitioners. Senior Counsel Dharshana Weraduwage with Dhanushi Kalupahana and Ushani Atapattu appeared for the Election Commission.