A Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) member has been disqualified as a member of the Monaragala Pradeshiya Sabha, in a landmark judgment by High Court Judge Ranga Dissanayake.
D.M. Harshaka Priya Dissanayake, who was elected from the SLPP for the Monaragala Pradeshiya Sabha at the 2018 elections, has been disqualified after it was proven that he had bribed voters to obtain votes at the elections.
A petition had been filed by United National Party (UNP) candidate Wanasinghe Mudiyanselage Shantha claiming that he was at a disadvantage due to bribes offered by the rival member.
Dissanayake was accused of paying for electricity and water connections, distribution of dry rations, and also distributing liquor asking voters to vote for him at the elections.
The petitioner had obtained the relevant evidence through Right to Information applications to prove his case, while several of those who were given bribes too were cited as witnesses.
Taking up the case for hearing, High Court Judge Ranga Dissanayake held that it was proved that the SLPP member had offered various types of bribes to obtain votes to be elected from the Madurakeiya division.
The Judge further said Dissanayake has been disqualified as a member of the Monaragala Pradeshiya Sabha.
The SLPP member has a six-week period to appeal in the case, failing which he will stand disqualified.
Meanwhile, the election monitoring body People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) has commended the court ruling.
Issuing a statement, the Executive Director of PAFFREL Rohana Hettiarachchi said the court ruling is a reminder that bribing the voters at future elections will result in the perpetrator losing the seat. (NewsWire)
