Presidential election controversy goes to court

[TamilNet, Friday, 29 July 2005, 15:46 GMT]
Mr.Dharmadasa Gomes, Attorney-at-Law Friday filed a petition in the Court of Appeal to order the Commissioner of Elections to declare the date of the Sri Lankan Presidential election citing Commissioner of Elections Mr.Dayananda Dissanayake, and Attorney General Mr.K.C.Kamalasbaeyson, as respondents, state run Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation reported in its Friday night news bulletin quoting legal sources.

The incumbent President Ms Chandrika Kumaratunga has said that the election will be held next year.

The main opposition United National Party (UNP) insists that according to the Constitution the election should held in December this year, legal sources said.

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), the main constituent of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government, has nominated Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse, who currently holds the post of Prime Minister as its Presidential candidate.

Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe, opposition leader has already started his campaign for the Presidency as the UNP nominee, sources said.