The Supreme Court yesterday (March 4) dismissed the fundamental rights petition filed by People's Action Committee for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) after Elections Commissioner Dayanada Dissanayake told Court that he had received no complaints about armed groups roaming about in Batticaloa or the misappropriation of public property for election work, during the local government polls campaign.

In its petition PAFFREL stated it could not expect a free and fair election for the Batticaloa local councils due to the presence of armed groups in the campaign and also misuse of the public property for election work.

The Elections Commissioner said he would take appropriate steps should any such complaints are brought to his notice.

Dismissing the petition the Bench comprising Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva, PC and Justices Shirani Thilakawardena and Jagath Balapatabendhi held that Court cannot accommodate the petition since no material had been placed before it, in support of the allegations contained therein.