Delaying polls will prolong IMF support move: Marikkar

Tuesday, 27 December 2022 01:22 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Says IMF and creditor nations have requested Govt. to show a mandate
Claims delaying will only further delay support and take a country into a further abyss
Warns SJB will take to streets with people if Govt. uses tactics to delay polls

Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP S.M. Marikkar

Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP S.M. Marikkar says delaying polls and failing to display the people’s mandate will only further delay assistance in debt restructuring from the IMF and other creditors.

“The IMF and creditor countries have requested the Government to show the mandate of the people. This is why the SJB has continually asked the Government to hold elections,” he said.

The SJB MP also slammed a statement made by United National Party Akila Viraj Kariyawasam claiming Sri Lanka cannot afford to hold polls due to the cost of Rs. 10 billion.

“He has asked the people not to complain of fuel shortages if funds are spent on polls. Rs. 10 billion is $ 27 million. Usually, a fuel tanker costs $ 53 million. In other words, only half the cost of a fuel tanker will have to be spent on the polls. The person making this statement cannot even realise this,” he said.

According to Marikkar, the UNP is making such a statement as they do not have candidates to field at the polls and are unable to win. “We are asking them to stop putting forward excuses in a bid to crush the mandate of the people,” he said.

“After coming into power, the Government has printed Rs. 2 trillion. In other words, close to Rs. 2000 billion has been printed. The elections will cost a mere Rs. 10 billion. By failing to show the mandate the debt restructuring and other aid will be delayed, taking Sri Lanka into a deeper abyss,” he added.

“We would like to ask them, do we spend Rs. 10 billion, get our debt restructured and rebuild the country, or do we not show the mandate, delay debt restructuring and devastate the country further,” the MP asked.

The MP said no matter what tactics the Government uses to delay polls, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will bring hundreds and thousands of people onto the streets to protect the democratic right of the people. “We ask the Government to not attempt to trick the people by the use of various tactics,” he said.