M.T.M. Nehamatullah and M.T. Hasen Ali MP vs. Dayananda Dissanayake and H.M.N. Dinipriya – CA 88/2011-2011

In the case between M.T.M. Nehamatullah (Authorized Agent of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress) and Dayananda Dissanayake (Commissioner of Elections), the court addressed whether the rejection of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress’s nomination paper for the Ukuwela Pradeshiya Sabha was lawful under section 28(5) of the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance. It was held that the statutory requirement for nomination papers to be delivered only by the party secretary or properly authorized agent is mandatory, and any non-compliance justifies rejection of the nomination. This determination reaffirmed the principle that strict adherence to electoral procedural requirements is necessary for the validity of nominations, relying on statutory interpretation and precedential case law. The decision underscored th