The Supreme Court has rejected a fundamental rights petition filed by former minister Rajitha Senaratne, seeking to invalidate the election of Rohitha Abeygunawardena as the Kalutara District Member of Parliament in the last general election.

The case was heard today (30), and after considering the arguments presented by both parties, the court issued its decision dismissing the petition.

The Supreme Court scheduled 30 September to hear a fundamental rights petition filed by Senaratne, challenging the preferential vote count of New Democratic Front (NDF) candidates in the Kalutara District during the last General Election.

Senaratne claimed in the petition that irregularities in the vote-counting process cost him a parliamentary seat, with the difference between his and the elected MP’s preferential votes standing at just 119. He sought a Supreme Court ruling declaring a violation of his fundamental rights and an order for a recount and revised results.