Govt. rejects JO charges it is ignoring SC order on PC polls

By Ashwin Hemmathagama 

Government yesterday rejected Joint Opposition Parliamentary Group leader MP Dinesh Gunawardena’s claims of possible violation of a Supreme Court order to hold Provincial Council Elections without delay. 

Recalling the previous examples where a series of Supreme Court determinations were neglected by the Rajapaksa regime, the Government held that there were mitigating reasons to delay Provincial Council elections.

Leader of the House Minister Lakshman Kiriella said: “During the previous Government, the Supreme Court gave an order preventing the removal of the Chief Justice from office. But with Chamal Rajapaksa as the Speaker, you removed the Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake within 24 hours. Under the leadership of the Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, many more Supreme Court determinations were neglected. So can the current Government.”

According to MP Gunawardena, the Supreme Court has specifically determined postponing of Provincial Councils Election unless there is a 2/3 majority in the Parliament, followed by a referendum. “Going against a Supreme Court judgment is contempt of court,” he charged.

In response, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya held that a meeting is scheduled with the Party Leader to decide the date for the Provincial Council election.