IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA In the matter of an application for Leave to Appeal under Section 82Y of the Local Authorities Election Ordinance. Wickramaarachchilage Gamini Jayasekara, Candidate of Sri Lanka People’s Front, Konwewa Para, Kahatagasdigiliya.

Petitioner S.C. Appeal No. 30/2020 Vs.

S.C. (H.C.C.A.) L.A. No. 454/19 H.C. Anuradhapura Case No. Election 1. Jinapalage Thilakaratne, Petition 01/2018 Candidate – Independent Group 01, Gam – Maddha, Kahatagasdigiliya.

2. Babasinghe Baddegamage Dayapala, Candidate – United National Party, Kiralagala Para, Kahatagasdigiliya.

3. Arampola Mudiyanselage Wasantha Arampola, Candidate – Sri Lanka Freedom Party, Gam – Maddha, Kahatagasdigiliya.

4. Suraweerage Susil Jayalath, Candidate – People’s Liberation Front, No. 29, Siwdiyagama, Kahatagasdigiliya.

5. Aahamed Mawalana Asseyyadu Mohomad Ali, Candidate – Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, Kiralagama Para, Kahatagasdigiliya.

6. Lakshan Sampath Shanthage, Candidate – Independent Group 02, Thihogama, Upuldeniya.

7. Muheyadeen Bawa Muhammadu Supiyan, Assistant Returning Officer, Kahatagasdigiliya Pradeshiya Saba, Election Office, Anuadhapura.

8. R. M. Wanninayake, Returning Officer, Anuradhapura District, Election Office, Anuradhapura.

Respondents AND NOW BETWEEN

7. Muheyadeen Bawa Muhammadu Supiyan, Assistant Returning Officer, Kahatagasdigiliya Pradeshiya Saba, Election Office, Anuadhapura.

7^th Respondent – Appellant

8. R. M. Wanninayake, Returning Officer, Anuradhapura District, Election Office, Anuradhapura.

8^th Respondent – Appellant Vs.

Wickramaarachchilage Gamini Jayasekara, Candidate of Sri Lanka People’s Front, Konwewa Para, Kahatagasdigiliya.

Petitioner – Respondent

1. Jinapalage Thilakaratne, Candidate – Independent Group 01, Gam – Maddha, Kahatagasdigiliya.

2. Babasinghe Baddegamage Dayapala, Candidate – United National Party, Kiralagala Para, Kahatagasdigiliya.

3. Arampola Mudiyanselage Wasantha Arampola, Candidate – Sri Lanka Freedom Party, Gam – Maddha, Kahatagasdigiliya.

4. Suraweerage Susil Jayalath, Candidate – People’s Liberation Front, No. 29, Siwdiyagama, Kahatagasdigiliya.

5. Aahamed Mawalana Asseyyadu Mohomad Ali, Candidate – Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, Kiralagama Para, Kahatagasdigiliya.

6. Lakshan Sampath Shanthage, Candidate – Independent Group 02, Thihogama, Upuldeniya.

Respondents – Respondents Before: Hon. Murdu N. B. Fernando, P.C., C.J.

Hon. Janak De Silva, J.

Hon. K. Priyantha Fernando, J.

Counsels: Viraj Dayaratne, P.C., ASG with Yuresha de Silva, DSG for 7^th and 8^th Respondent Appellants Respondents are unrepresented Written Submissions:

23.06.2020 and 19.09.2023 by 7^th and 8^th Respondent Appellants Argued on: 13.06.2023 Decided on: 16.05.2025 Janak De Silva, J.

This is an appeal arising out of an election petition filed by the Petitioner-Respondent (Petitioner) in terms of the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance as amended (Ordinance). The Petitioner contested as a candidate of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) at the Local Authorities Elections held on 10.02.2018 from Ward No. 06 of the Kahatagasdigiliya Pradeshiya Sabha.

According to the results declared, the 1^st Respondent-Respondent (1^st Respondent) who contested from Independent Group No. 01 received 626 votes whereas the Petitioner received 625 votes. Hence, the 1^st Respondent was declared elected to Ward No. 06 by a majority of 01 vote.

The Petitioner then filed this election petition in the Provincial High Court of North Central Province holden in Anuradhapura. The Petitioner alleged that:

(i) Ward No. 06 is made of two voting stations, namely 6(a) and 6(b);

(ii) Out of a total of 1227 votes cast at voting station 6(a), only 1226 votes have been counted;

(iii) The counting ofÏcers have rejected a substantial number of postal votes citing that the packaging of the postal votes is not in order;

(iv) As 07 Wards out of 10 Wards comprising the Kahatagasdigiliya Pradeshiya Sabha was won by the SLPP there is ground to believe that Ward No. 06