SC to inquire case of new political party

Wasantha Ramanayake

The Supreme Court yesterday decided to inquire into the alleged right violation of the leader and the members of the United Peoples' Party (UPF).

The Bench comprised Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake, Justice Nimal Gamini Amaratunga and Justice Jagath Balapatabendi.

Petitioners, leader S. Hapuarachchi, Keerthi Sampath, an executive member and chief treasurer Amal Chandrasekera complained that the failure of the election Commissioner to register his party was unjust and was in violation of their rights.

The petitioners sought to register their party as a recognised political party and sought compensation in a sum of five million rupees.

Counsel K. Deekirigoda for petitioners submitted that the election commissioner in his letter dated January 21, informed the petitioners of his refusal to register their party as a recognised political party.

UPF is a democratic party which would not endorse undemocratic means of coming to power, the counsel contended. Although the election commissioner failed to register a democratic party such as the UPF it had recognised groups like TMVP.

The counsel submitted the refusal of the commissioner effectively prevented the petitioners as well as the membership of UPF from contesting in any future election.

The hearing was fixed for June 26.