SC refuses to grant leave to proceed for all FR petitions

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Supreme Court dismissed all Fundamental Rights petitions filed and denied granting leave to proceed with all petitions. These include the petitions challenging the date of the General Election announced by the National Election Commission  (June 20) and the gazette issued by the President dissolving Parliament among other petitions. 7 petitions and 13 intervening petitions were filed. They were filed by Att.-at-Law Charitha Gunaratne, Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu of the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), journalist Victor Ivan along with seven others, Ranjith Madduma Bandara  of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya and former MPs Kumara Welgama and Patali Champika Ranawaka. Subsequently, a five judge bench comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya and Justices Buwaneka Aluvihare, Sisira De Abrew, Priyantha Jayawardena and Vijith Malalgoda was appointed to consider the FR petitions.