Bench to hear election petition

Wasantha Ramanayake

The Court of Appeal yesterday appointed a Bench comprising President of the Court of Appeal Justice Sathya Hettige PC, and Justice Sisira de Abrew to hear the election petition filed in respect of the general election held in the Trincomalee District.

Petitioner, unsuccessful ITAK candidate K. Tiruchelvam filed the petition seeking a declaration that the election held on April 08 and the re-poll held in respect of Kamburupiti on April 20 was void and declaration that he was duly elected and returned as a Parliamentarian. The Bench comprised Justice Sathya Hettige PC and Anil Gooneratne PC.

The petitioner cited Election Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake, Trincomalee District Returning Officer and all the candidates who contested at the election as respondents.

The petitioner stated he contested at the general election which was held on April 08. He submitted that there had been major incidents of election malpractices and intimidations of voters in the district during the election.The Petitioner stated had not for these violations of election laws, he would have been duly elected and returned as a Parliamentarian.

President's Counsel K. Kanag Ishwaran appeared for the petitioner. The application will be mentioned on June 17.