Tissa Attanayaka Vs. Commissioner General of Elections and others – CA WRIT 155/2011-2011

In the case between Tissa Attanayaka, General Secretary of the United National Party, and the Commissioner General of Elections, M. Kinsley Fernando (Returning Officer, Puttalam District), and others, the court addressed whether the inclusion of an allegedly underage candidate on the UPFA nomination paper for the Chilaw Pradeshiya Sabha Local Authorities Election rendered the nomination invalid and whether the Returning Officer acted appropriately in accepting the nomination. It was determined that the Returning Officer’s role is limited to ministerial scrutiny of nomination papers and supporting documents, without an investigative obligation unless a valid objection is timely filed. The court held that the petitioner, having failed to object within the statutory period, was disentitled to