Dr. Suresh Gangatharan, Secretary Democratic National Alliance vs. Returning Officer Vavuniya South Pradeshiya Sabha – CA/WRT/356-368/2025-2025

In the case between Dr. Suresh Gangatharan, Secretary, Democratic National Alliance, Mr. P Udayarasa (Petitioners), and the Returning Officer, Vavuniya South Pradeshiya Sabha, Vavuniya, along with other Respondents, the court addressed the legal validity of rejecting nomination papers for local government elections based on the form of birth certificate certification. The central issue was whether nomination papers with birth certificates certified by a Justice of the Peace or Notary Public satisfied statutory requirements under Section 28(4A) of the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance and relevant constitutional provisions. It was determined that ex parte observations from the Supreme Court, refusing notices in fundamental rights applications, do not carry binding authority for stare de