Marikkar slams Govt. conspiracy to postpone LG polls

MP S.M. Marikkar 

• Unholy union between SLPP and UNP continues to violate people’s rights 
• Those who printed trillions say they cannot print 10 billion to conduct poll

By Darshana Abayasingha 

SJB Deputy National Organiser S.M. Marikkar yesterday slammed the President Ranil Wickremesinghe-led administration for hatching conspiracies to postpone the Local Government Elections and violate every fundamental right of the people.

The Colombo District MP said his party is committed to come to power through democratic means, but would be compelled to lead the people onto the streets if the Government and the President continue to violate the Constitution and the rights of the people. 

“The latest conspiracy is to say there is no money to pay pensions, salaries and Samurdhi. Soon they will say there is no money to pay for fuel shipments or gas, and claim they are unable to conduct Local Government Elections. We will bring the people onto the streets if they try to do anything of this nature to delay the poll. They have violated every possible right of the people. The UNP and the SLPP no longer enjoy the mandate of the people, they are outcasts,” Marikkar said. 

The SJB MP also warned Government officials not to follow any instructions that go against the Constitution.

Marikkar was alluding to the conduct of the Local Government Election, and added that any official found violating the law would be taken to task by an SJB Government that he claimed would come to power within a short space of time. 

“This March, the SLPP and the UNP will discover the reality; how much they are rejected by the people. The President likens himself to Hitler, he thinks he can use the police and military to shield themselves. But we are standing with the people. The same people who ruined this country and printed over Rs. 2,000 billion cannot print just Rs. 10 billion to hold an election. The President and the SLPP have no love for this country, its people or religion,” Marikkar charged. 

The SJB MP also lamented the collaboration between the UNP and SLPP to contest the upcoming local Government poll. “Even for those of us who are now in the SJB, it is saddening to see this grand old party formed by the father of the nation giving shelter to robbers, murderers and thugs. There was no room even in Sirikotha for such corrupt elements. Now we see this unholy union between the Central Bank robbers and those who have destroyed this nation.”

Marikkar said the SJB is committed to safeguard democracy and come into power through constitutional means, and said they would agitate for the conduct of an election as per law. Despite the President stating he would take no part in the conduct of the election, he has managed the marriage of the UNP and the SLPP to face it, the MP charged.