Writ Petition seeks PC election: SC re-fixes for support on 3 June

By S.S.Selvanayagam                                                                             

Supreme Court yesterday re-fixed for 3 June the Writ Petition seeking the Election Commission to hold the Provincial Council Elections.

The Bench comprised Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare, Lalith Dehideniya and P. Padman Surasena.

The Writ Petition was filed by six petitioners – the members of Sathya Gaveshakayo -‘Truth Seekers’ organisation.

The Petitioners cited the Election Commission, its Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya, its members Nalin Abeysekara and Ratnajeevan Hoole as Respondents.

They are seeking an Order from the Court in the nature of Writ of Mandamus directing the Election Commission to hold the Provincial Council Elections in respect of Sabaragamuwa, North Central, Eastern, Central, Wayamba and Northern Provincial Councils.

They are also seeking a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to take action required by Article 104 B of the Constitution read with Provincial Council Act No.2 of 1988, as it stood prior to the enactment of the Act No.17 of 2017 for the election of members Sabaragamuwa, North Central, Eastern, Central, Wayamba and Northern Provincial Councils.

They point out that terms of office of the six Provincial Councils have ended and already dissolved.

 Uditha Egalahewa PC with N.K. Ashokbharan appeared for the Election Commissioner