Nagalingam Rathnalingam vs Returning Officer, Kayts Pradeshiya Sabha and others – SC WRIT NO. 06/25-2025

In these writ applications, the central legal question concerned the correct forum for challenging decisions made by Returning Officers on the rejection of nomination papers for local authority elections. The Court addressed a preliminary objection regarding jurisdiction, ultimately determining that such challenges should be entertained by the Court of Appeal, not the Supreme Court. This determination was based on the interpretation of constitutional provisions relating to the powers of the Election Commission and its officers. The preliminary objection was upheld, resulting in the dismissal of the writ petitions.

S. THURAIRAJA, PC, J. – Addressed writ and fundamental rights applications challenging the rejection of nomination papers by Returning Officers for local authority elections. A