SC makes interim order to provide funds for local elections
New election dates later this week
“Govt.change only possible through parliamentary election, not on streets,” – Ranil
The Supreme Court Friday issued an interim order preventing the Finance Secretary and the Attorney General from withholding the funds allocated for election purposes under the 2023 budget.The order was issued when the court took up a petition filed by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara for consideration on Friday (03).
The petition was taken for consideration before a three-judge bench comprising Preethi Padman Soorasena, Janak de Silva, and Priyantha Fernando.
The SJB General Secretary in his petition requested the court to rule that the respondents, including the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, have violated the fundamental rights of the people by not releasing funds to the Election Commission to conduct the Local Government polls.
President’s Counsel Upul Jayasuriya appeared for the petitioner. Additional Solicitor General Priyantha Navana appeared for the Attorney General. Saliya Pieris PC appeared for the Election Commission. The National Election Commission on Friday said that a new date for the Local Government Election would be announced early this week.
Chairman of the Election Commission Nimal G. Punchihewa said that the new date would be announced following discussions with the Finance Ministry Secretary, Government Printer, Police and other relevant officials.He said that the discussion in this regard will be held in the first few days of this week.
Meanwhile President Ranil Wickremesinge said at an Air Force event in Trincomalee on Friday that a change of government in the country can only be effected through a parliamentary election and that the streets are not an alternative to the legislature.
“It is important to note that any changes to the government must be made through the proper channels, such as a parliamentary election. The streets are not an option for the parliament, and any attempt to subvert the established process would be a violation of Sri Lanka’s constitution and the rule of law,” he said.
Given that the SLPP on which Wickremesinghe is dependent for a parliamentary majority has gone on record that it is opposed to postponement of elections, political analysts and observers are watching with interest how the SLPP will vote if a parliamentary motion demanding the allocation of funds for local elections is moved.
“Certainly there can be no regime change via a local election. But a defeat for the SLPP-UNP combine at these elections will be a clear signal of public perception of the incumbent government,” one analyst said.
SJB Colombo District MP Dr Harsha de Silva said following the verdict that it is now clear why he was removed from the chairmanship of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF).
“I had requested the Secretary to the Treasury to be present at COPF this week to discuss Sri Lanka revenue and expenditure,” he tweeted.
Last week SJB National List MP Mayantha Dissanayake was appointed as COPF chairman. Days after his appointment, MP Dissanayake resigned after his SJB colleagues cried foul over this appointment.
