Edirisinghe Pedige Nimal Edirisinghe v. Sajith Wasantha Welgama et al – WRIT/295/2019-2022

In the case between Edirisinghe Pedige Nimal Edirisinghe (Plaintiff) and Sajith Wasantha Welgama, officials of the Election Commission, Ethugalpedige Wimalawathi, and the Attorney-General (Defendants), the court addressed the legality of appointing the 8th Respondent as representative Councilor for the Debathgama Division under the SLPP pursuant to the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance. At issue was whether the petitioner, a UNP candidate with the second-highest votes, was entitled to fill the vacancy in preference to the SLPP’s nominee, specifically in light of Section 66A(1) and the proportional representation requirements for woman members. The court held that appointment from either the original or additional nomination list is permissible under the statute, and the specific appoin