Christian Council requests President to revoke P’ment dissolution, postpone polls

Tuesday, 28 April 2020 00:55 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Requests President to avert dangers of constitutional crisis
Says free and fair election cannot be held under present conditions
Expresses concern about increased militarisation seen all around civil life of the country
Says also a danger that relief measures could be politicised

The heads of churches under the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) have requested President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to revoke the order dissolving Parliament and postpone the General Election till September – October and avert the dangers of constitutional crisis that Sri Lankan citizens can ill afford at this time.

In the letter, the members of the Council said that it is important to bear in mind that the country needs an election that is free and fair and this requires a level playing field for all parties and their candidates to campaign and have equitable access to the media but this is not possible under a curfew or lockdown. “Until the election is held, the country also needs a legislature to ensure that all three organs of Government discharge their duties during the crisis, as required by the Constitution,” the Council members said.

They also expressed their gratitude to the Government and its handling of the public health crisis, and also saluted the healthcare professionals and the law enforcement officers who are giving themselves selflessly and sacrificially at this difficult time, but expressed concern about the increased militarisation seen all around civil life of the country.

They also said that there is also a danger that the relief measures could be politicised and said they expect the Government to respond to the public health crisis in a manner that is consistent with the Constitution and rule of law.