K. T. Kurusamy, alias, Kalan Gandi Thevar Kurusamy, and other Vs Piyumi Artigala Returning Officer- Colombo Municipal Council – CA/WRIT APPLICATION NO: 241/25-2025

The case between K. T. Kurusamy and the Returning Officer of Vavuniya addressed the issue of whether nomination papers should be rejected on the basis of birth certificate certification not being performed by a District Registrar. It was determined that certification by a Justice of the Peace or Notary Public meets the requirements of the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance, in view of legislative intent and gazette notifications. The decision reaffirmed that electoral provisions should be interpreted liberally to facilitate democratic participation without unwarranted technical barriers, relying on statutory interpretation and precedents emphasizing the need to resolve nomination errors by rectification rather than rejection.

M. T. Mohammed Laffar J.: It was determined that the bir