The Court of Appeal has issued an interim injunction suspending election-related activities for the Colombo Municipal Council and several other local government institutions.

The decision follows writ petitions filed by several political parties and independent groups, who challenged the rejection of their nomination papers by election authorities.

After granting permission for the petitions to be examined, the court issued the interim order, effectively halting preparations for local government elections in the affected areas.

The court has directed that objections to the petitions be filed by 5 May, with any counter-objections to be submitted by 7 May. The petitions are scheduled to be taken up for examination on 16 May.

The interim injunction will remain in place until the conclusion of the hearings.