by Chitra Weerarathne
The Supreme Court on Friday fixed for argument on May 19, 2003, the writ application filed by the General Secretary of the LSSP about the non-selection of an LSSP nominee by the People’s Alliance, to be appointed as a National List Member of Parliament.

The petitioner, Batty Weerakoon of the LSSP, has cited as respondents the Commissioner of Elections, the People’s Alliance and D. M. Jayaratne, the General Secretary of the PA.

The petition alleged that the selection of persons to the PA National List is arbitrary and malafide. The LSSP being a constituent party of the PA, should be given preference in this selection of National List MPs.

The petition requested the court to declare null and void the selection of National List MPs made by the PA for the current parliament.

The respondents in their objection filed in court had contended that the PA picked for its National List nominees from the constituent parties, which do not have elected representatives in parliament.

The LSSP had one member in parliament returned from the Galle district.

L. C. Seneviratne PC, with Ms. Chamantha Weerakoon, appeared for the petitioner Batty Weerakoon.

Nihal Jayamanne PC, with Ananda Nanayakkara, instructed by Bandula Wellala, appeared for the third respondent the General Secretary of the PA, D. M. Jayaratne.

State Counsel Rajiv Goonetillake appeared for the Commissioner of Elections.

The Bench comprised Justice D. P. S. Gunasekera, Justice Ameer Ismail and Justice C. V. Wigneswaran.