The six petitioners who had challenged the Gazette notification issued on Local Government delimitation have undertaken to withdraw their petition.

Minister of Provincial Council and Local Government Faiszer Musthapha informed the Parliament today that the petition, which would lead to a delay in holding polls for several Local Government bodies, will likely be withdrawn today. 

He made this observation while responding to a question raised in Parliament by JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake. 

The Chief Opposition Whip had inquired from the minister that why the Attorney General had not participated in the hearing of the case after submitting a motion when an agreement had been reached to remove the obstacles in holding the election.

The minister responded saying that extensive discussions were held with the petitioners following the intervention of the Prime Minister and party leaders. He stated that the Secretary to the ministry had also held talks regarding the matter and that the petitioner and a representative of the AG’s Department who is representing him were sent to court and the case settled. 

Accordingly, the petitioners have informed the court that they will withdraw the petition, Musthapha said, adding that he personally agreed to do some sort of justice for the facts presented in the petition.