The Supreme Court (SC) on June 1 dismissed eight Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions filed challenging the dissolution of Parliament and holding the General Election on June 20, reports Daily News. Five Judge Bench comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justice Buwaneka Aluwihare, Justice Sisira de Abrew, Justice Priyantha Jayawardena and Justice Vijith Malalgoda unanimously refused to grant Leave to Proceed with eight FR petitions. Pronouncing the ruling, the Chief Justice informed that the Court provided opportunities for all counsel in all applications on the preliminary objections raised as well as the main application. "By majority decision, preliminary objections are overruled. By unanimous decision, Leave to Proceed is refused for all applications,” the Chief Justice announced.
Meanwhile, Government Printer Gangani Liyanage said that the printing of 17 million ballot papers for the General Elections commenced on June 2, reports Daily Mirror. She said the typesetting and other preparations were carried out during the last week and subsequently the official printing commenced. The date of holding the General Elections was confronted with ambiguity following the FR petitions filed in the SC challenging the fixing of General Elections date for June 20. However, the FR petitions were dismissed by the SC without hearing them. Accordingly, the printing of ballot paper commenced following the court order.