P.A. Cooray v. H.J.G. Fernando – sllr 1985 volume 2 page 391

In the case between Nanayakkara (Petitioner-Appellant) and Kiriella (Deceased) and others (including the intervenient/respondent substituting for the deceased candidate), the court addressed the issue of whether service of notice of the presentation of an election petition—specifically including delivery at the Registrar’s office under Rule 15(1)(b)—is required to be completed within a mandatory ten-day period. It was held that strict compliance with the ten-day period for all prescribed modes of service is mandatory for the validity of an election petition. The principle reaffirmed that statutory procedural time limits in election law are to be strictly construed and followed. This decision relied on the interpretation of Rule 15 of the relevant election regulations, emphasizing the signi