Petition filed against dissolution of EPC and holding polls

By Chitra Weerarathne

A voter from the Eastern Province yesterday filed a Writ Application, in the Court of Appeal, requesting the Court to suspend the decision of the Governor of the province to dissolve the Eastern Provincial Council.

The petitioner, Rasiah Thurairatnam, from Batticaloa, has further requested the Court to restrain the Commissioner of Elections from taking steps to hold an election and to quash the advice given by the Chief Minister to the Governor to dissolve the Council.

The petitioner has said that the Chief Minister abused his powers by advising the Governor without seeking the approval of the board of provincial ministers to dissolve the Council. Consequently, the petitioner has requested the Court to prevent the Commissioner from taking steps to hold the polls, until the five-year period of the council is over.

Among the respondents are the Chief Minister, the Governor Rear Admiral Mohan Wijewickrema, the four members of the Board of Minister of the Council, leader of the Opposition Daya Gamage and the Commissioner of Elections Mahinda Deshapriya.