Rathnayake Mudiyanselage Dayarathne vs. S. L. R. Jayanbayeka, Returning Officer, Anamaduwa Pradeshiya Sabha, Puttalam – CA/WRT/220/25-2025

In the case between Rathnayake Mudiyanselage Dayarathne, A. H. M. Dinesh Madushanka Herath Mawathagama, K. G. Ranjan K. Senevirathne (General Secretary, ‘Sarvajana Balya’), and S. L. R. Jayanbayeka, Returning Officer, Anamaduwa Pradeshiya Sabha, Puttalam, the court addressed the lawfulness of rejecting election nominations on the sole basis that original birth certificates, rather than photocopies, were submitted by candidates. It was held that such rejection lacked legal basis, as submission of original birth certificates constitutes adequate compliance under the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance and related statutory provisions. The decision reaffirmed the principle that the statutory requirements are met when originals are produced, and improper rejection of nominations is not justi