The Supreme Court today (14 Feb.) released an interim order avoiding the implementation of a letter declining the election paper sent by the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) for the Mannar Pradeshiya Sabha (PS) for the upcoming Local Government election.The order was released when a petition filed by General Secretary of the SLMC, Attorney-at-Law Nizam Kariapper was taken up before a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, consisting of Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Murdu Fernando and Gamini Amarasekera.The pertinent petition claimed that the election paper in concern had been rejected by method of a letter released by the relevant Returning Officer, without offering any reason.

Hence, the SLMC asked for the court that a writ be issued, revoking the choice made by the Returning Officer.Accordingly, the execution of the letter in question was prevented by method of an interim order, effective up until 21 February