FR case over racial and religious identities of parties
Posted on November 19th, 2015
By Chitra Weerarathne Courtesy Island
President’s Counsel, Prasantha Lal de Alwis has filed a fundamental rights violation petition, in the Supreme Court, complaining that political parties with religious and racial identity, should amend their registration identities, or they should be taken off the list of registered political parties.
At the parliamentary elections in August, 20 such political parties had confused him and subjected him to discrimination in violation of Articles 10 and 12 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka, the petitioner has argued.
The petition was called before the Supreme Court, yesterday. The designation of the first respondent, Mahinda Deshapriya, the Commissioner of Elections, has changed. Hence, the petitioner was advised to amend the caption and support the petition. Time was given till March 15, 2016.
Among the other respondents listed in the petition are the secretaries of the 20 political parties with racial/religious identities and the Attorney General.
Among the political parties named as ones with political/religious identities are, the Bodhu Jana Peramuna, Illankai Thamil Arasu Kachchi, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and Nawa Sihala Urumaya.
The Bench comprised Justice Eva Wanasundera, Justice Sisira de Abrew and Justice Upali Abeyratne.