FR petitions on dissolution of parliament dismissed

The five-judge Supreme Court bench today dismissed the Fundamental Rights petitions challenging the dissolution of Parliament and General Election date. The decion was unanimous.

Announcing the decision of dismissing all eight petitions, Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya said that the Bench also overuled the preliminary objections submitted by the respondents. 

At least eight Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions were filed challenging the dissolution of  Parliament and fixing June 20 as the date for the parliamentary polls amid the coronavirus 

Over the last two weeks, SC heard detailed submissions of some fifteen intervenient petitioners, respondents and eight petitioners which concluded yesterday.

The Attorney General’s (AG) Department last Friday informed the apex court that the March 2 dated Presidential proclamation of dissolving Parliament continues to be valid and urged the eight fundamental rights petitions which challenged its legality to be dismissed.

The Supreme Court five-judge-Bench comprised Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare, Justice Sisira de Abrew, Justice Priyantha Jayawardena and Justice Vijith Malalgoda.