COLOMBO – Sri Lanka’s local government elections that were due to be held on April 25 has been postponed once again and a new date will be decided depending on a pending court verdict or on the availability of funds, an official said.
Election Commission chairman Nimal Punchihewa said on Tuesday (11) that a decision on the new election date will be made on whichever comes first, the court verdict or the announcement that funds are available.
The Election Commission had previously recommended April 25 as the most suitable date for the long-delayed local government elections that were originally scheduled to be held on March 9.
Members of the Election Commission held discussions with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunwardena on Monday (10) about a possible new date.
Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers had directed the Treasury Secretary to prioritize funds for a series of essential services. Elections were not on the list.
Opposition parties in Sri Lanka went to court to get an order to hold the elections while one individual sought an order to invalidate the polls.
Opposition legislators have slammed the government for blocking funds, saying it allowed the finance minister to decide whether or not an election can be held and it set a bad precedent.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is also finance minister, has defended the move, citing the country’s unprecedented economic situation.
-economynext.com
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