The Court of Appeal yesterday dismissed around 60 writ petitions filed by political parties and independent groups challenging the rejection of nomination papers for the Local Government (LG) Elections.

A two-judge bench comprising Acting President of the Court of Appeal Justice M.T. Mohammed Laffar and Justice K.P. Fernando delivered the order after taking up the petitions for hearing. The Court cited the petitioners’ failure to file their cases within the stipulated time period as the primary reason for dismissal.

These petitions had been filed by political parties and independent groups, including the United National Party and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress.

Justice Laffar observed that there is a problematic situation in the election law and stated that it would be more appropriate for the Legislature to address and rectify it. He further observed that the Government has already incurred a loss of approximately Rs. 30 million to Rs. 40 million due to delays in the election process resulting from this judicial action.

The Court further observed that this decision was made in light of the petitioners’ failure to institute legal action in a timely manner and to avoid unnecessary delays in the electoral process.

(dailynews.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been summoned before the Bribery Commission this week.

Accordingly, Mr. Wickremesinghe has been requested to report to the Bribery Commission at 09.30 am on April 25.

He has been summoned to record a statement regarding a statement he had made about the bribery case filed against MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake.The CIABOC had previously summoned Mr. Wickremesinghe on April 17, but the latter had informed of his unavailability on that day.

Therefore, the CIABOC has issued an alternative day.

The Department of Meteorology says showers or thundershowers will occur in most parts of the island after 1.00 p.m. today (April 22).

Fairly heavy rainfall of about 75 mm is likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central Uva, Eastern, Northern and North-central provinces.

Showers or thundershowers may occur in Western province and in Galle, Matara and Puttalam districts in the morning too.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces and in Ampara district during the morning.