Local election in North stayed

Sarath Malalasekera

The Court of Appeal yesterday issued an interim order restraining the election to be held in the Pradeshiya Sabha areas of Puthukudiyiruppu, Maritimepattu and Thunukkai until the final determination of the petition before court. Court of Appeal President Justice Sri Skandharajah yesterday directed to issue notice on the respondents to appear before court on April 27.

The petitioners Jegatheeswaran Ajanthan of Mullaitivu and six others cited Mullaitivu Returning Officer S Karunanithi, the Attorney General and ten others as respondents.

The petitioners stated that the people are not living in certain areas of Puthukudiyruppu Pradeshiya Sabha and Maritimepattu Pradeshiya Sabha as the demining process of the areas is not completed yet and to date the demining is being carried out in those areas and people are not permitted to occupy the said areas at present.

The petitioners further stated that as the demining process was not completed and people in the areas are not yet re-settled in the Pradeshiya Sabha areas they requested the Mullaitivu Returning Officer to re-schedule the elections of the Local Bodies.

The petitioners further stated that some of the internally displaced registered voters live in camps and with relatives and friends in different places as well. In fact some of the voters of the said Pradeshiya Sabhas are living even in Colombo and unable to travel to cast their votes if the elections are held on March 24, 2012.

Further, the voters in Manik Farm have to travel more than 130 Kms to the designated polling booths and thus it is not practical to provide transport to all voters in the camp to go and cast their votes, the petitioners stated.

President’s Counsel Palitha Kumarasinghe with Attorney Priyantha Jayawardena instructed by Mary Dickman appeared for the petitioners.

Deputy Solicitor General Janak de Silva appeared for the Elections Commissioner.