Court dismisses CAFFE petition

Wasantha Ramanayake

The Supreme Court yesterday directing the Attorney General to forward the copy of the petition to the Election Commissioner noted that the Election Commissioner is duty bound to hold a free and fair election in the Eastern Province.

The Court dismissed the rights application filed by an executive member of Campaign for Free and Fair Election (CAFFE) seeking to hold a violence-free fair election in the Eastern Province.

The Bench comprised Justices Asoka de Silva, Nimal Gamini Amaratunga and K. Sripavan. The Court noted that the application for the interim relief prayed for by could not be considered since the respondents were not present nor represented by counsel in the court.

"Without hearing the respondents we cannot consider your application for interim relief," Justice Asoka de Silva noted.

Justice Silva also noted that there is hardly any time for the court to intervene in the matter. "You have come at the 11th hour," he said.

Petitioner Attorney-at-Law Shiral Lakthilake stated that there were unauthorised persons carrying arms, threatening and intimidating persons in the Eastern Province and there were no conducive environment to hold a free and fair election.

The petitioner, who was an executive member of the CAFFE, sought the respondents to prevent the use of arms by unauthorised persons and incidents and intimidations and violence on election day, today, before and after that day.

Upul Kumarapperuma appeared for the petitioner.