Supreme Court Rules Delaying LG Polls Violated Human Rights

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Supreme Court has ruled that the postponement of the local government polls, originally scheduled for March 9, 2023, violated the fundamental human rights of the people. 

This decision implicates officials of the Election Commission, including the members of the Election Commission, who were named as the respondents.

The ruling was delivered in response to four petitions filed by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, the National People's Power, the Center For Policy Alternatives, and PAFFREL.

The petitions were heard by a five-member bench comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Vijith Malalgoda, Murdu Fernando, Gamini Amarasekara, and Yasantha Kodagoda.

The petitioners argued that the failure to hold the local government elections as scheduled infringed upon their basic rights and those of the public. 

The respondents named in the petitions included the Election Commission and its members.

The Supreme Court had concluded the hearing on June 6 and adjourned its decision indefinitely. 

Today, the court delivered its final verdict, affirming the violation of human rights due to the election postponement.