Delaying LG polls will land Govt. in trouble with IMF: SJB

SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella 

• Lakshman Kiriella says Govt. agreed to IMF conditions of upholding country’s rule of law but has violated it 
• Claims IMF extended support subject to these conditions 
• Accuses Govt. of sabotaging IMF aid through its actions

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Lakshman Kiriella says the Government will head into trouble with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over the postponement of polls. The MP speaking at a press conference in Colombo yesterday said the Government has assured the IMF it would uphold the Rule of Law in the country. 

“It is one of the main conditions in the agreement signed between the IMF and the Government. It also said we must protect human rights and work with the civil society. The IMF extended us their support subject to these conditions,” he said. The MP said not adhering to these conditions and delaying polls will lead to issues with obtaining further support from the IMF.  “The Government delayed Local Government elections just days after receiving aid from the IMF. Our constitution or the electoral laws do not allow it. It was an entirely arbitrary decision of the Government. We then went to Courts and an interim order was given to the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance to release the necessary funds for the polls but the Government disregarded it. Instead they took steps to call the Judges who delivered the order before the privileges committee of the Parliament,” Kiriella said. “Even media institutions have been brought before the privileges committee in a bid to intimidate them,” he added. 

The MP said it was the Government that was sabotaging the IMF deal and not the opposition as claimed by them. “They are constantly berating us claiming we are sabotaging the IMF agreement but in fact it is the Government that is doing it themselves,” he said. Kiriella said Government actions have already led to various issues with the IMF. “This is why a group of IMF officials will be visiting Sri Lanka in June,” he noted. According to Kiriella the IMF has stressed it will monitor the situation relating to the conditions mentioned and the Rule of Law in Sri Lanka. “Just because we received funds we cannot violate these conditions. Issues with the IMF will be inevitable if we continue to delaying of polls,” he added.