FR petitions against General Election to be heard before three-judge-bench

Several Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions seeking an order quashing the Extraordinary Gazette notification declaring the General Election on June 20 are to be heard tomorrow(11) before Supreme Court three-judge-bench headed by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya. 

 

These petitions are to be taken up before Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justice S. Thurairaja and Justice Murdu Fernando. 

 

The Supreme Court is scheduled to commence its sittings for the 2nd Term of 2020, on tomorrow (11) following a court delay necessitated by the coronavirus. 

 

Attorney-at-Law Charitha Gunaratne, the son of former Central Province Governor Maithri Gunaratne had filed a petition seeking a declaration that the Gazette notification in question is unconstitutional.  

 

 Subsequently, several political parties including Samagi Janabalawegaya and several civil society activists including former Ravaya newspaper Editor Victor Ivan and Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu had also filed Fundamental Rights petitions over the same issues relating to the General Election and  the dissolution of Parliament. 

 

 The petitioners have  cited Election Commission Chairman  Mahinda Deshapriya, its members President’s Counsel N.J. Abeysekara and Prof.S. Rathnajeevan H.Hoole, and the Attorney General as the respondents.  

 

On last Saturday (09) Jathika Hela Urumaya leader Patali Champika Ranawaka and leader of Nava Lanka Nidahas Pakshaya Kumara Welgama had also filed a Fundamental Rights petition in Supreme Court. 

 

The two petitioners state that the first meeting of the Eighth Parliament was held on 2nd September 2015, and as such, in terms of Article 62 of the Constitution, the term of the Eighth Parliament would have ordinarily extended until 1st September 2020.