Holding the Parliamentary Election on 20 June is practically not possible given the public health situation in the country, the Election Commission informed the Supreme Court yesterday.
The five-member Bench comprises Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya and Justices Buwaneka Aluvihare, Sisira de Abrew, Priyantha Jayawardena, and Vijith Malalgoda.
Counsel for the EC Saliya Peiris PC informed the Court of the EC’s position with regards to holding the election when hearings resumed for the third day into the Fundamental Rights petitions that have been filed challenging the Gazette issued by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa dissolving Parliament as well as the Gazette issued by the Election Commission that set 20 June as the date for the General Election.
Peiris who appeared for EC Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya and its member Nalin Abeysekeara said there was no possibility of holding the election on the date which was announced in the Gazette notification by the EC until the Commission gets the green light from the health authorities. He also said the EC would need at least 10 weeks after the green light from the relevant authorities to hold the election.
(FT)