Mohamed v. Jayaratne and Others – sllr 2002 volume 3 page 181

In the case between Abdul Kader Rawuthar Neina Mohamad (petitioner, associated with the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress – SLMC) and the secretary of the People’s Alliance – PA (1st respondent) among others, the court addressed the issue of the authority and validity of the expulsion of a petitioner, elected as a nominee of the PA, while holding primary membership in the SLMC. It was held that the expulsion was invalid, as the PA lacked authority to expel a person whose primary membership resided in a constituent organization, and procedural objections regarding the affidavit and time limits were found insufficient to bar the petition. The principle reaffirmed was that, where statutory provisions stipulate a period for filing petitions and such provision is deemed directory, a petition exceeding