SC to Review Petitions Against Rejected Nominations

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Supreme Court has received 37 writ petitions challenging the rejection of nomination papers for the upcoming local government elections. 

The court has scheduled further examination of these petitions for April 3.

The petitions were reviewed by a bench comprising Justices S. Thurairaja, Mahinda Samayawardena, and Sampath Abeykoon.

Deputy Solicitor General Kanishka de Silva, representing the Attorney General, stated that a settlement could be reached regarding three petitions related to the rejection of nomination papers.

Lawyers Nuwan Bopage and Ilham Kariyapper, representing the petitioners, agreed to withdraw these three petitions.

Deputy Solicitor General de Silva raised preliminary objections regarding the remaining petitions, arguing that the rejection of nomination papers or actions taken by returning officers in accordance with the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance, cannot be challenged through writ petitions before the Supreme Court. 

She emphasized that such challenges should be brought before the Court of Appeal, as the Supreme Court does not have jurisdiction over these matters.