R.D. Lalith Ranasinghe et al. vs H.R.P. Peiris et al. – CA WRIT/291/2011-2013

In the case between R.D. Lalith Ranasinghe and four others (petitioners) and H.R.P. Peiris, Returning Officer/Senior Assistant Commissioner of Elections, Kalutara Administrative District, along with other respondents, the court addressed the issue of whether a writ of certiorari could be issued to partially quash the results of the Matugama Pradeshiya Sabha local authority election of 2011, particularly relating to preferential votes and the election of certain UPFA candidates. It was determined that the declaration of election results constitutes a ministerial act, not subject to certiorari, and that a petition seeking only a partial quashing of election results is not maintainable. The court reaffirmed the principle that available statutory remedies under the Local Authorities Elections