Ediriweera, Returning Officer For Akuressa Pradeshiya Sabha v. Kapukotuwa, General Secretary, United National Party and Others – sllr 2003 volume 1 page 228

In the case between ĀFOR AKURESSA PRADESHIYA SABHA (Plaintiff) and KAPUKOTUWA, General Secretary, United National Party and others (Defendants), the issue concerned the mandatory nature of Section 28(5) of the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance requiring the handwritten signature of a recognized political party’s Secretary on a nomination paper. The court determined that strict compliance with this statutory provision is obligatory, and that the presence of a rubber seal, initials, or attestation could not substitute the explicit requirement of a signature. The rejection of the nomination paper by the Returning Officer, due to the absence of the Secretary’s handwritten signature, was upheld. The appeal was allowed with costs against the petitioner, reaffirming the principle that statuto