Moneragala High Court Judge Ranga Dissanayake delivered a landmark judgment on Monday (13) opening a new chapter in the polls history of Sri Lanka on fighting clean elections.

Rohana Hettiarachchi, Executive Director, PAFFREL has issued the following statement explaining the judgment: This judgment has been given in respect of a case filed by PAFFREL in collaboration with losing candidate and the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence against a candidate of one of the local government bodies in the Moneragala District for offering various kinds of bribes to voters at the last local government elections.

The judgment declared the candidate, who had purportedly won the seat by bribing the voters null and void and accordingly he was removed by order of the Court and the candidate who had secured the next highest number of votes was ordered to be appointed to fill the vacant position.

This historic ruling will serve as a deterrent to future candidates against bribing voters. Even if they continue to bribe, their election will be liable to be challenged subsequently. In addition, the need for enacting laws to limit election expenses by candidates and provision of a level playing field for all candidates in an election has been re- emphasised.

Also, it is important to note that the implementation of the Right to Information Act has paved the way for procuring the information required for this victory.

 We were compelled to pursue this case in the midst of many obstacles. The two lawyers who have given  their utmost commitment in this case while certain institutions that ought to have supported our endeavor had avoided their responsibility, deserve the respect and  gratitude of all those who value  democracy. This achievement will certainly be a source of joy to the election officials who have supported it sincerely.