IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA In the matter of an Application for Writs in the nature of Certiorari and Mandamus under and in terms of Article 140 read with Article 104H of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

A. L. M. Athaullah Secretary General, SC Writ Application No.07/2020 National Congress, South Road, Akkaraipattu 01.

Petitioner Vs.

1. Mr. Mahinda Deshapriya, Chairman, Election Commission.

2. Mr. N. J. Abeysekara, Member, Election Commission.

3. Professor Ratnajeevan Hoole, Member, Election Commission.

All of Election Commission, Election Secretariat, Sarana Mawatha, Rajagiriya.

4. Mr. J. S. D. M. Asanka Abeywardana, Returning Officer, Electoral District of Trincomalee, District Secretariat, Trincomalee.

5. Mr. G. G. Ponnambalam, Secretary, Ahila Ilankai Thamil Congress, ‘Congress House’, No. 120, Main Street, Jaffna.

6. Mr. S. Arokkiyanayakam, Secretary, Akhila Ilankai Tamil Mahasabha, No. 53, Pulavu Road, Sampativu, Trincomalee.

7. Mr. K. Thurairasasingham, Secretary, Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi, No. 30, Martin Road, Jaffna. 8. Mr. Douglas Devananda, Secretary, Ealam People’s Democratic Party, No. 9/3, Station Road, Colombo 04.

9. Mr. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Secretary, United National Party, ‘Sirikotha’, No. 400, Kotte Road, Pitakotte.

10. Rev. Battaramulle Seelarathana Thero, Secretary, Janasetha Peramuna, No. 185, Devala Road, Thalangama South, Battaramulla.

11. Mr. L. Nipunaarachchi, Secretary, Jathika Jana Balawegaya, No. 464/20, Pannipitiya Road, Pelawatta, Battaramulla.

12. Mr. N. Sivasakthi, Secretary, Tamil Makkal Thesiya Kuttani, No. 26/10, First Lane, Kandy Road, Vavuniya. 13. Mr. K. Sivarasa, Secretary, Social Democratic Party of Tamil, No. 294, Kandy Road, Jaffna.

14. Mr. Kumar Gunaratnam, Secretary, Frontline Socialist Party, No. 553/B/2, Gemunu Mw., Udumulla Road, Battaramulla.

15. Mr. Sagara Kariyawasam, Secretary, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, No. 8/11, Robert Alwis Mw., Boralesgamuwa.

16. Mr. Mahinda Dewage, Secretary, Socialist Party of Sri Lanka, No. 2/69, Melfet Estate, Gemunupura, Kothalawala, Kaduwela.

17. Mr. R. M. R. Maddumabandara, Secretary, Samagi Jana Balavegaya, No. 347/A, Kotte Road, Mirihana, Nugegoda.

18. Mr. Range Nimal Chandrasiri, Leader, Independent Group – 01, No. 24, Sirimapura, Trincomalee.

19. Mr. S. Vijayarethnam, Leader, Independent Group – 02, No. 853, Pasal Mawatha, Selvanayagapuram, Trincomalee.

20. Mr. M. F. M. Arafath, Leader, Independent Group – 03, No. 30/12, Kadakkarai Veedi, Rahumaniya Nagar, Kinniya 01.

21. Mr. M. L. Sugath Prasantha, Leader, Independent Group – 04, No. 159/D, 6^th Lane, Sinhapura, Trincomalee. 22. Mr. T. Vamadeva, Leader, Independent Group – 05, No. 72, Kannagipuram, Ors Hill, Trincomalee, 23. Mr. A. H. Abdul Jawathu, Leader, Independent Group – 06, No. 361/3, Kuttikarachchi, Kinniya.

24. Mr. M. A. Muhammadu Lafeer, Leader, Independent Group – 07, No. 127/27, Hijra Veediya, Kinniya 03.

25. Mr. Muhammathu Ali Ajeeb, Leader, Independent Group – 08, No. 66, Ward 03, Pullumalai.

26. Mr. Ali Jawfar Mubarak, Leader, Independent Group – 09, Annal Nagar, Kinniya 03.

27. Mr. A. M. Pajilkuththoos, Leader, Independent Group – 10, No. 14, Hijra Veediya, Kinniya 03.

28. Mr. S. Muhammad Riswan, Leader, Independent Group – 11, Nagara Sabha Mawatha, Kinniya 04.

29. Mr. G. K. Manoj Rangana, Leader, Independent Group – 12, No. 35/B, Parakrama Mawatha, Kanthale.

30. Mr. P. M. Ajimal, Leader, Independent Group – 13, T. B. Jayah Mawatha, Kinniya 03.

31. Mr. R. G. Premathilake, Leader, Independent Group – 14, No. 694/4, Ralaela, Kanthale.

Respondents Before: Buwaneka Aluwihare PC J Murdhu Fernando PC J S. Thurairaja PC J Counsel: Geoffery Alagaratnam PC for the Petitioner.

Viveka Siriwardana DSG for the 1st, 2nd, 4th Respondents.

M. U. M. Ali Sabry PC with Ruwantha Cooray and Amila Kumara instructed by Athula de Silva for the 15^th Respondent.

Supported on: 10.07.2020 Order on: 11.10.2023 Order Aluwihare PC J., (1) The Petitioner inv