The Court of Appeal has dismissed without a hearing the petition that was filed over the dispute on the selection process for key leadership roles in the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha.

During the inaugural session of the local council, 24 council members had submitted a written request advocating for an open vote to appoint the Chairman and Vice Chairman.

However, the Western Provincial Commissioner, Sarangika Jayasundara, had disregarded the appeal and proceeded with a secret ballot on June 17.

Opposing parties, including members from Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), staged a walkout in protest, asserting that the Commissioner’s decision undermined the democratic process and public trust.

Following the walkout, as there was no quorum, the session was postponed, with the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha not electing a Chairman and Vice Chairman. 

Thereafter, a petition challenging the Western Provincial Commissioner’s move was filed at the Court of Appeal, with the petitioners requesting an interim order preventing the implementation of the secret ballot and compelling an open voting procedure instead. 

However, during proceedings today, the Court of Appeal has dismissed the petition without a hearing. (Newswire)

Note: The headline of this story has been updated to correct a misleading impression conveyed in the original version.

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The Court of Appeal has set July 07 as the date for a hearing of the petition filed over the dispute on the selection process for key leadership roles in the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha.

During the inaugural session of the local council, 24 council members had submitted a written request advocating for an open vote to appoint the Chairman and Vice Chairman.

However, the Western Provincial Commissioner, Sarangika Jayasundara, had disregarded the appeal and proceeded with a secret ballot on June 17.

Opposing parties, including members from Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), staged a walkout in protest, asserting that the Commissioner’s decision undermined the democratic process and public trust.

Following the walkout, as there was no quorum, the session was postponed, with the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha yet to elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman. 

A petition challenging the Western Provincial Commissioner’s move was filed at the Court of Appeal, which has set July 7 as the date for a hearing on the matter. 

Appearing on behalf of the petitioners, President’s Counsel Ali Sabry requested an interim order preventing the implementation of the secret ballot and compelling an open voting procedure instead.

Sabry argued that council members are elected to represent the will of the people and that the Commissioner’s actions conflict with public expectations and governance transparency. He further emphasized that the Commissioner, as a state official, is obligated to honour the majority request of council members.

The judiciary, led by Justices Rohantha Abeysuriya and K. Priyantha Fernando, acknowledged the submissions, fixing the hearing for next week, while the next council meeting is scheduled for July 5. (Newswire)

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