G.L. swears to defeat Govt. attempt to delay polls

• Accuses EC of not carrying out the necessary groundwork to hold LG polls on time
• Says Govts. claim of needing electoral reforms prior to a vote is a mere fallacy
• Threaten to take legal action against the Govt. to protest the people’s right to vote

SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris says the anti-democratic agenda of the current Government and its attempt to delay polls through various tactics will be defeated. 

Peiris, who is now part of the Freedom People’s Congress said while the government is hoping for an IMF bailout before the end of the year, it must also be noted that the IMF has emphasised on the importance of the legitimacy of the existing Government. 

“The IMF has expressed its willingness to only work with a government that has the mandate of the people,” he said. “They have stressed the funding is not for the Government but instead is being given to the people of the country through the government,” he added. 

The MP noted that the deciding factor of a mandate is an election. “On 20 September, the Election Commission of Sri Lanka was empowered to set a date for the local government elections. All preparations of the electoral register must be completed before November. After this, they cannot further delay setting a date for the election and they must announce a date that is before 20 March 2023. That is the legal requirement,” he said. 

Peiris said however the Government is intent on delaying the polls through any means as the results would show the Government has lost the support of the people. “The latest tactic is appointing a select committee to decide on electoral reforms. But this has no basis. Current Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardene chaired a committee on electoral reforms for nearly eight years. A report was also submitted by this committee recently. Therefore, the claim of needing to implement reforms is a fallacy,” he noted.

Peiris said the opposition will not allow the Government to delay elections as they please and they will protect the people’s right to vote. He also said despite assurances by the Election Commission on holding elections as scheduled, no groundwork has been carried out by them. Peiris said the opposition is prepared to take legal action should the government fail to hold the polls on time.