21.6.2008
Supreme
Court of Sri Lanka dismissed two fundamental rights petitions
filed by the UNP and JVP challenging the dissolution of
North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Councils. The
Supreme Court said the Governors of the Provincial Councils
had followed legal ways to dissolution of the both Provincial
Councils. The bench comprised Chief Justice Sarath N Silva,
Sriyani Thilakawardene and K. Sripawan.
Petitioners
A.M.R. Banda Abesinghe and H.M. Anil Ratnayake for the
North Central provincial council and A. A. Wijetunga and
K. S. S. Perera for the Sabaragamuwa provincial council
cited governors of the respective province and the commissioner
of elections, the respective returning officers and other
as respondents. They filed two fundamental rights petitions
in Supreme Court on 13th June, asking for an interim injunction
on holding elections for the two Provincial Councils on
the basis of their fundamental rights had been violated
due to the dissolution of the councils.
Earlier
the UNP said the dissolution of these councils was illegal
and filed two petitions before the Supreme Court. The
JVP also followed a similar way. According to the government
sources the provincial council elections of Sabaragamuwa
and North-central province may also be scheduled to hold
in August.
However
Peoples Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) recently
expressed displeasure at the government's decision to
dissolve the North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial
Councils.
Meanwhile
General Secretary of the UNP Tissa Attanayake said they
will hold discussions with the other political parties
to contest the proposed Provincial Council elections.
Courtesy - Asian
Tribune