No possibility of holding election on June 20, EC informs court

The Election Commission of Sri Lanka has informed the Supreme Court that there are no possibilities of holding an election on June 20 under the current situation in the country.

President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris made this declaration on behalf of the Chairman of the Election Commission Mahinda Deshapriya and its Member Nalin Abeysekera, when multiple Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions filed before the Supreme Court challenging the date set by the Elections Commission to hold the General Election 2020 were taken up for consideration.

The five-member judge bench consisting of Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justices Buwaneka Aluvihare, Sisira de Abrew, Priyantha Jayawardena, and Vijith Malalgoda continued hearing the relevant petitions for the third consecutive day, today (20).

President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris stated that an election cannot be held until the health sector gives the green light to go ahead with an election.

However, necessary steps will be taken to hold the election as soon as the Election Commission receives a positive response from the health sectors, further said the President’s Council.

President’s Counsel M. A. Sumanthiran who represented petitioner Attorney at Law Charitha Gunaratne declared that their petition will not be continued as his client had already received the relief sought.

The remaining petitions filed on the matter will continue to be heard at the Supreme Court.

Seven parties including Attorney at Law Charitha Gunaratne, Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA), and Journalist Victor Ivan, Samagi Jana Balawegaya filed Fundamental Rights petitions challenging the election date set by the Elections Commission.

The Attorney General, on behalf of the President, Chairman of the Election Commission Mahinda Deshapriya, and Members of the Commission N. J. Abeysekara and Ratnajeevan Hoole have been named as respondents of the petition.