Sri Lanka, July 14 -- A writ petition filed seeking an interim order to prevent the respondents, including Western Province Local Government Commissioner Sarangika Jayasundara, from conducting a secret vote for the election of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha was today dismissed by the Court of Appeal.

The petition was filed by Pradeshiya Sabha members representing opposition parties, who claim to hold the majority in the council. They are challenging the decision of Commissioner Sarangika Jayasundara to conduct secret ballots during the inaugural meeting held on June 17.

Court of Appeal (President) Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya and Justice K. Priyantha Fernando decided to dismiss the petition along with...