The National Election Commission has informed the Supreme Court that all steps have been taken to conduct the Local Government Election.
A petition filed by Retired Sri Lanka Army Colonel WMR Wijesundera calling for an order to suspend the conduct of the Local Government Election was taken up for consideration today (13).
Facts were tabled before Court by attorney President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris representing the Chairman and members of the Election Commission.
The petition was taken up for consideration before a three member bench comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, S Thurairajah and Janak de Silva.
The attorney representing the petitioner requested Courts consent to table an amended petition in relation to the fundamental rights petition.
The Supreme Court granting consent to the requested ordered that the case be taken up once again on the 18th of January.
Meanwhile, Attorney Saliya Peiris said the Attorney General has informed that he will not appear on behalf of the Election Commission.
Chairman of the Election Commission Nimal Punchihewa, members of the Election Commission, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardene, Secretary to the Treasury, Attorney General and several others have been cited as respondents.
The petitioner states that based on information he obtained from the Election Commission using Right to Information Act, at least a sum of Rs.10 billion will be required to conduct the Local Authorities Election.
He also states spending such a sum at this juncture when the country is dealing with an economic crisis will lead to a bigger disaster and burdened the public further.
The petitioner is of the view that present circumstances do not warrant the conduct of the Local Authorities Election and therefore requested the Court to issue a ruling in his favour.
