Monday Dec 23, 2024
Monday Dec 23, 2024
Saturday, 14 January 2023 01:18 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Election Commission of Sri Lanka (EC) yesterday informed the Supreme Court that the Local Government election will go ahead as scheduled.
Saliya Peiris PC appearing on behalf of the EC said before the court that the vote will be held as planned. The assurance was given before the court when a writ petition was filed by a retired Army Colonel, W.M.R. Wijesundera seeking an order to suspend the upcoming Local Government elections.
Wijesundara had filed the petition on the basis that he was informed by the Election Commission of Sri Lanka (EC) that the election can only be funded through Government revenue or by obtaining a loan for the purpose.
The matter was taken up before Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya and Justices S. Thurairaja and Janaka de Silva. Romesh de Silva PC requested the court to call for the petition on 18 January noting that another petition related to the matter is to be filed on the day.
Meanwhile the counsel appearing for the petitioner informed the court that several amendments are to be made to the application. The petition will be taken up again on 18 January.
Meanwhile Secretary to the Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry Neil Bandara Hapuhinna apologised to the EC when he appeared before the EC yesterday over the letter sent by him to district secretaries directing them to stop accepting deposits for the Local Government elections till further notice.
Hapuhinna had told the Election Commission that he issued the letter as per a Cabinet decision and the powers vested in him, and after he realised that it was inappropriate he decided to recall the letter within an hour of sending it out.
Secretary claimed he had no intention of interfering with the process of the Election Commission, and only executed a cabinet decision and apologised for any inconvenience caused.
