SC defers for 18 May petitions contesting impugned 20 June Parliamentary Polls

By S.S. Selvanayagam

The Supreme Court yesterday decided to consider on 18 and 19 May seven Fundamental Rights petitions that have been filed challenging the Gazette notification setting 20 June as the date of the Parliamentary Election.

The Bench comprised Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya PC and Justices S. Thurairajah PC and Murdu Fernando PC.

The Attorney General informed Court that he was not in a position to appear for the Election Commission and its members. The AG, EC Chairman Mahinda Deshapriy and its others are respondents in the case.

The petitioners include Chiritha Maithri Gunaratna, Centre for Policy Alternatives and its Executive Director Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, senior journalist Victor Ivan, former MPs Patali Champika Ranawaka and Kumara Welgama and others.

There are eight intervenient petitioners in the case including Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera and Gunadasa Amarasekera.

Counsel for the petitioners requested the Chief Justice to consider appointing a full Bench to hear the case.

M.A. Sumanthiran PC appeared for two petitioners, namely Chiritha Maithri Gunaratna and Victor Ivan, T.M. Premawardana, Prof.Anton Meemana, A.M Jiffry, S. Sivagurunathan, Mahinda Hattaka, M.S Jayakody and Dr. H.D.S.F.D Herath.

Viran Corea appeared for Centre for Policy Alternatives and its Executive Director Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu. Suren Fernando appeared for Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SBJ) Jeffry Alagaratnam and Ikram Mohamed for two other petitioners.

Romesh de Silva PC appeared for respondent P.B. Jayasundera who is the Secretary to the President. Ashtika Theivendra appeared for S. Ratnajeevan Hoole.

Sanjeeeva Jayawardena PC appeared for intervenient petitioner Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thero.

Additional Solicitor General Indika Demuni de Silva appeared for the Attorney General.

Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya and its members N. J. Abeysekera and S. Ratnajeevan Hoole as well as Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe are cited as Respondents.

They are seeking a declaration from the Court to invalidate the Extraordinary Gazette notification declaring the 20 June election.