The Supreme Court yesterday concluded the arguments put forward in support and against the ‘Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill’. Four (4) Special Determination petitions had been filed before the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of this Bill.
Later on, the Supreme Court’s determination over the proposed Bill is to be communicated to the President and the Speaker.
The Supreme Court Three-Judge bench comprised Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Janak de Silva and Arjuna Obeyesekere.
The Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill was tabled in Parliament.
This Bill is intended to provide for the calling of fresh nominations and the holding of elections for certain local authorities where elections have been previously called and postponed.
Four petitioners, including the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) General Secretary Nizam Kariapper, PC, filed applications alleging that certain provisions of the Bill infringe upon citizens’ voting rights, thereby violating fundamental rights. They argued that the Bill requires passage by a special majority in Parliament and approval by the people through a referendum.
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