Election petition dismisssed

Wasantha Ramanayake

Appeal Court Judge Justice Sisira de Abrew yesterday upholding the preliminary objections dismissed the election petition filed by the UNP candidates that sought to nullify the Eastern Provincial Council Election for the Ampara District which was held last year.

Petitioners took up the preliminary objections, among other matters, that the petitioners had failed to furnish the material facts required by law to establish the general intimidation and alleged acts of non-compliance had affected the election results.

Petitioners M.T. Hasen Ali and Daya Dharmapala Gamage cited 20 respondents including the Elections Commissioner, the Returning Officer for the Ampara District, returned members and the Eastern Provincial Council. They sought to set aside the election on the grounds of non-compliance with the Provincial Councils Election Act and the general intimidation.

Ikram Mohamed PC with Nizzam Kariyappar apperaed for the petitioners.

Nihal Jayamanne PC with Palitha Kumarasinghe PC , Kushan de Mel, Chandima Liyanapatabendi M. Ali Sabry and Rasanga Harischandra appeared for the respondents.

Senior State Counsel Arjuna Obeysekare appeared for the Elections Commissioner.