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‘Many of us are relived’ said a civil rights activist after hearing that the Fundamental Rights petition filed by a lawyer seeking a declaration that the Presidential election should not be held without a referendum on the 19th amendment to the Constitution, was dismissed by the Supreme Court .
The Supreme court not only dismissed the petition but also ordered cost of Rs. 500,000 .
The Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justice Arjuna Obeysekera and Justice Priyantha Fernando decided to dismiss the petition citing that there is no merit in the petition.
The petitioner Attorney-at-Law Aruna Laksiri was ordered to pay the cost before July 31 this year.
The petition, challenged the holding of a Presidential election this year under the provisions of the 19th amendment to the Constitution, as he believes that the 19th amendment was not properly passed with a referendum.
Many believe that if the courts had decided to postpone the Presidential Election for what ever reason it could have created a chaotic situation.
