The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for electing members of Parliament.
They were initially dismissed by the Election Judge on 5 June 1966, whereupon an appeal was lodged by the claimants to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court determined on 12 May 1967 that the Election Judge had misdirected himself in law and a fresh election for the seat of Bandaragama was called and held on 23 September 1967.
[5] Results of the 1967 parliamentary by-election held on 23 September 1967:[6] Following the 1967 parliamentary by-election, a further petitions was lodged with the courts seeking the election results be declared void on the grounds that Perera should have been disqualified from running in the previous by-election, on the grounds that the Supreme Court ruling in 1967 disqualified him under the constitution.
Following a hearing in June 1968 the Supreme Court decided the results of the 1967 by-election be declared void.