The Supreme Court has dismissed a Fundamental Rights petition challenging Ranjan Ramanayake’s candidacy in the parliamentary election set for November 14. The petition was dismissed by a three-judge bench, comprising Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Kumudini Wickremasinghe, and Achala Wengappuli, who took into account the objections raised by the respondent parties.
The petition was filed by Mahinda Senanayake, an independent candidate contesting from the Gampaha District, who challenged the Election Commission’s acceptance of Ramanayake’s nomination for the General Elections in Gampaha. Senanayake argued that Ramanayake is disqualified from being elected as a Member of Parliament, citing his conviction by a Supreme Court three-member bench on January 12, 2021, for contempt of court, which led to a four-year rigorous imprisonment sentence.
