The petition filed by former Galle Mayor Methsiri de Silva seeking the postponement of the Presidential election was dismissed by the Supreme Court, a short while ago.

De Silva filed the petition on the basis that Sirisena was elected by the people in 2015 for a term of six years.

The petitioner, a member of the SLFP, is known to be an ally of President Maithripala Sirisena.

Political observers desribed de Silva's petition as a desperate move to prolong the presidency of Maithripala Sirisena which will come to an end in one and a half months.