The Petition filed in the Court of Appeal (CA/434/2014), challenging the nominations tendered by the President on the basis he was disqualified to stand for a third term was withdrawn today by the Petitioner, citing popular demand.

The Petitioner in this case informed the Court today that he was withdrawing his Petition as it was apparent that the public opinion on the President has been evidently eroded and in this background the purpose of filing the Petition in the National Interest would be defeated in the event the interim relief prayed for in the Petition is granted by the Court at this state suspending the election. The Petitioner states further that he does so in recognition of the Will of the people and their Sovereignty that would finally determine their popular choice through the exercise of their franchise at the forthcoming Presidential Election.

Finally he states that in the given circumstances he did not wish to throw a life-line to the President to remain in Office for a considerable period in the event the election is suspended by the Court, against the will of the People that has been clearly expressed by the citizens of Sri Lanka in both electronic and print media since filling of his Petition that challenged the Election.