SC dismisses petition against SJB

• The petition seeking the invalidation of SJB nominations was filed by UNP candidate Oshala Anil Herath
• Petitioner said the Madduma Bandara’s appointment as SJB secretary not approved by the UNP

By Yoshitha Perera  

The Supreme Court yesterday dismissed the petition, which sought an order invalidating the nomination papers submitted by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to contest the upcoming general election.    

The petition was filed by United National Party (UNP) candidate Oshala Anil Herath. Counsel Neranjan Silva appeared on behalf of the petitioner.   

The petition was taken up for hearing by a Bench comprising Justices Buwaneka Aluvihare, L.T.B. Dehideniya and Padman Surasena.   

Senior Deputy Solicitor General Nerin Pulle appearing for Election Commission Chairman and the Attorney General informed Court that it had no jurisdiction to hear this petition since petitioner was challenging the powers vested in the Election Commission under the Parliamentary Election Act.   

Romesh De Silva PC with Farman Cassim PC, Sugath Caldera and Niran Ankatel instructed by Sanath Wijewardene appeared for respondents SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa and General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara.   

The petition states that Mr. Premadasa and Mr. Madduma Bandara are members of the UNP and holding the positions of UNP Deputy Leader and Senior Deputy Chairman respectively.   

It states that the party which hadhanded over nominations for SJB was registered under the name of ‘Ape Jathika Peramuna’ and that the appointment of Mr. Madduma Bandara as the General Secretary of the SJB was not approved by the UNP working committee.   

As such the nomination papers submitted under the signature of Ranjith Madduma Bandara as the General Secretary of SJB were illegal.   

The petitioner appealed to the Supreme Court to rule that the Election Commission has no authority to accept the nomination papers and therefore to nullify them. 

• Party submitting nominations registered under the name of ‘Ape Jathika Peramuna’