The Supreme Court ruled today that the authorities, including the Minister of Finance, the Election Commission, and the Attorney General, violated citizens’ Fundamental Rights by not holding the Local Government elections scheduled for March 9 last year. The five-judge bench ordered the Election Commission to hold the elections as soon as possible.
The bench, led by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, included Justices Vijith Malalgoda, Murdu Fernando, Gamini Amarasekara, and Yasantha Kodagoda. This judgment was in response to four Fundamental Rights petitions demanding free and fair Local Government elections.
The petitions were filed by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara, National People’s Power (NPP) Parliamentarian Harini Amarasuriya, the Centre for Policy Alternatives, and the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL).
Legal representation included President’s Counsel Upul Jayasuriya for Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Nigel Hatch PC for Harini Amarasuriya, Viran Corea PC for the Centre for Policy Alternatives, Senior Counsel Asthika Devendra for PAFFREL, Saliya Pieris PC for the Election Commission, and Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle for the Attorney General.
