No recounts: SC rules

Wasantha Ramanayake

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to grant Leave to Proceed with three fundamental rights petitions seeking recounts with regard to Colombo-Gampaha and Kalutara districts in the recently concluded Western Provincial Council Elections.

Refusing to further entertain the applications the Court noted that there was no basis to Proceed with the applications.

The Bench comprised Justice Dr.(Mrs.) Shirani Bandaranayake, Justice Nimal Gamini Amaratunga and Justice S.I. Imam.

A group of unsuccessful UNP candidates filed applications seeking recounts with regard to the Colombo and Gampaha districts while UPFA candidates filed a petition with regard to the Kalutara district.

Petitioners cited several respondents including the Elections Commissioner and the Returning Officers of the respective districts. They complained to Court that they were not returned due to malpractices that had taken place during the counting, in violation of their rights and sought recounts.