Southern Province past and present members unite to demand immediate LG elections

Text and pictures by P D DE SILVA

Past and present members of Local Government bodies in the Southern Province representing all political parties held a media briefing in Matara to demand that the local government elections, which have been postponed, be held immediately. 

“A delay in holding the local government elections is illegal. More than three hundred LG councils are being administered by a special commissioner now while the term of 23 councils has been extended. The term of an LG council is for 48 months and could be extended only for another twelve months and not more  !” said UNP leader of the opposition of the Matara Municipal Council, Upul Nishantha. 

“We welcome the change in the electoral system but the undue delay in holding the LG elections is not acceptable.  LG Councils should be administered by councilors elected by the constituents. Hence we call upon the government to hold the LG elections immediately” he added.

“Even though the councils have been dissolved the constituents still come to us with their problems” said former UPFA chairman of the Dikwella Pradeshiya Sabha Krishali Muthukumarana

Former Chairman of the Akmeemana Praseshiya Sabha, Senaka Alewaththa said “ We call upon the President and Prime Minister to hold the Local Government election immediately as the delay is depriving the people who elected them to power, of their rights of electing their local councils”.

The media conference was convened by CAFFE.