Attanayake v. Commissioner General of Elections – sllr 2011 volume 1 page 220

In the case between Attanayake (petitioner-petitioner) and the Commissioner General of Elections and others (1st to 28th respondents), the court addressed the issue of whether the petitioner complied with the mandatory procedural requirements of the Supreme Court Rules, 1990, specifically Rule 8(3) regarding tendering notices through the Registry and Rule 40 concerning applications for an extension of time. The application for special leave to appeal was dismissed upon determination that failure to comply with Rule 8(3) constitutes a significant procedural defect that cannot be cured by substantial compliance. This decision reaffirmed the principle that strict adherence to procedural rules is necessary for the orderly administration of justice. Reliance was placed on the interpretation of