Courtesy Adaderana

The Supreme Court has refused to grant leave to proceed with the Fundamental Rights petitions filed challenging the date set by the Elections Commission for the General Election.

The consideration of the petitions which lasted over a period of 10 days came to a conclusion last evening (01) and the court’s decision was set to be announced today (02).

Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya stated that the initial objections raised by the respondent party regarding the petitions have been rejected by the majority of the five-member judge bench.

Accordingly, all Fundamental Rights petitions filed with this regard will be dismissed without being taken up for hearing.

The petitions were heard before the Supreme Court’s five-member judge bench consisting of Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justices Buwaneka Aluvihare, Sisira de Abrew, Priyantha Jayawardena, and Vijith Malalgoda.

Seven parties including Attorney at Law Charitha Gunaratne, Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA), and Journalist Victor Ivan, Samagi Jana Balawegaya filed Fundamental Rights petitions challenging the election date set by the Elections Commission.

The Attorney General, on behalf of the President, Chairman of the Election Commission Mahinda Deshapriya, and Members of the Commission N. J. Abeysekara and Ratnajeevan Hoole have been named as respondents of the petition.