The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has ruled that the postponement of local government polls, originally scheduled for March 9, 2023, constituted a violation of the fundamental human rights of the people. The ruling specifically implicates officials from the Election Commission, including the Election Commissioner, who were named as respondents in the case.

The decision was made in response to four petitions filed by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, the National People's Power, the Center for Policy Alternatives, and PAFFREL. These petitions argued that the delay in holding the elections infringed on the basic rights of the public.

A five-member bench, including Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, along with Justices Vijith Malalgoda, Murdu Fernando, Gamini Amarasekara, and Yasantha Kodagoda, presided over the hearings. The court had concluded its hearings on June 6 and reserved its judgment, which was delivered today, affirming that the postponement of the elections indeed violated human rights.