Kobbekaduwa v. Jayewardene and Others – sllr 1983 volume 1 page 416

In the case between H.S.R.B. Kobbekaduwa (Plaintiff, a candidate of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party) and J.R. Jayewardene (1st Respondent, representing the United National Party), Lalith Athulathmudali (2nd Respondent), and Harsha Abeywardena (3rd Respondent), the Supreme Court addressed whether alleged acts constituted corrupt or illegal election practices under Sections 80(c) and 85 of the Presidential Elections Act. The allegations involved claims of false statements about personal character and the publication/distribution of an anonymous document intended to affect the election. After analysing statutory requirements, legal principles distinguishing public from personal character in electoral offenses, and procedural compliance including the necessity to join the United National Party as