The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition challenging President Ranil Wickramasinghe’s eligibility to run in the upcoming presidential election. The petition, filed by a lawyer, was based on allegations that President Wickremesinghe had failed to appoint an Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) and judges to the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, which the petitioner claimed disqualified him from contesting the election.
In its ruling, the Supreme Court not only dismissed the petition but also ordered the petitioner to pay Rs. 50,000 in legal costs. The court’s decision came after Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle, representing the Attorney General, argued that the petition was based on false information and violated Article 92 of the Constitution.
The petitioner had originally sought a court order requiring President Wickramasinghe to appoint an Acting IGP. However, the petition also included a request for a ruling that would disqualify the President from participating in the upcoming presidential election.
This ruling reinforces President Wickramasinghe’s eligibility to contest the election, as the court found no merit in the claims brought forward in the petition.
