Sri Lanka: Crisis on democracy due to lack of funds, issue of postponement of local elections in Sri Lanka heats up


Posted on 1st Mar 2023 03:51 pm by rohit kumar

The issue of postponing the local elections in Sri Lanka continues to be a hot topic. Opposition parties are trying to put the government in the dock regarding this. Voting for the local elections was due on March 9. But the Election Commission postponed the election saying that it did not have the money to print ballot papers and other election works.

 

The general assessment in the Sri Lankan media was that the ruling party would face a humiliating defeat in these elections. There have been allegations from some quarters that the Election Commission made an excuse for the lack of resources to give relief to the ruling party. Now a group of MPs led by Leader of the Opposition in the Sri Lankan Parliament Sajith Premadasa has demanded Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena summon the Finance Secretary. These MPs have submitted their letter in this regard to Abeywardhena.

 

In this letter, an explanation has also been sought regarding the letter written by Election Commission Chairman Nimal Punchihewa to the Speaker. It is said that Punchhieva wrote this letter to the speaker on February 24, asking him to arrange funds for the local elections. The announcement of postponing the election had already been made before sending this letter.

 

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that at present there is no money to hold elections. In a statement given in Parliament, he said that all the parties should discuss this and find a solution. He said- 'The money is not available now. By the way, there is no election ahead. The Election Commission has not announced any new election schedule. What can we do then?

 

In this connection, Premadasa along with a group of opposition MPs met the Speaker on Tuesday. He claimed that if funds were arranged, the Election Commission would be ready to hold the elections immediately. He said that Rs 10 billion was allocated for the election work, which the government is not releasing. Premadasa has warned that if the local elections are not held, the prestige of the Parliament will also suffer.

 

Premadasa was accompanied by leaders of his party Samgai Jana Balawegaya (SJP) as well as dissident leaders of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujuna Peramuna (SLPP) who went to meet the speaker. He demanded Abeywardhena call the Finance Secretary and tell him that the opposition MPs wanted to discuss the problem of paucity of funds with him. Opposition MPs said- 'We want to present our arguments with figures in front of the Finance Secretary. After that, they can also present their stand as to why they are not giving money to the Election Commission.

 

But the speaker said that there is no such legal provision under which he can call the finance secretary using the power given to the parliament. While the opposition MPs argued that the Speaker can use his authority to call the Finance Secretary.

 

Also Read: Pakistan Economic Crisis: 10 lakh workers will get jobs in Pakistan, industries hit by the economic crisis

1 Like 0 Dislike
Previous news Next news
Other news

Maha Kumbh 2025: In this Udasi arena, the Panchdevas became a hundred Panchputras, and spent the night under the open sky in Digambara attire

On Monday, in Maha Kumbh, Shri Panchayati Bada Akhara Udasin witnessed the modern tradition of Dh

Delhi Election Results: Entry not allowed inside Kejriwal's house, ACB team returned from the gate.

Just a day before the results of the Delhi Assembly elections, Delhi politics has come to a boil

'Bhagwan' on strike: Protest against the murder of a female doctor, OPD closed... AIIMS-RML seniors took charge

Doctors are on strike in government hospitals in Delhi today in protest against the murder of a d

Sonakshi Sinha Wedding: Sonakshi Sinha wore a 44-year-old sari at the wedding, and completed the look with special jewelry

Sonakshi Sinha Wedding: B-town's beautiful actress Sonakshi Sinha has now officially become Mrs.

Team India: 'Rohit is waiting outside...', Sunil Gavaskar termed this problem of Indian team management as good.

The T20 International series between India and South Africa is one of the few fixtures between th

Attack on BSF jawans on Indo-Bangladesh border: More than 100 Bangladeshi villagers killed with sharp weapons, guns snatched; 2 young serious

Bangladeshi villagers and miscreants attacked BSF jawans who were doing their duty to protect Ind

Pakistan betrayed Turkey: Last year Turkey sent help to PAK flood victims, and the same was sent to earthquake victims

Standing on the verge of bankruptcy, Pakistan did a big fraud with its close Muslim friend Turkey

'India will not tolerate nuclear blackmail', PM Modi's strong and direct message to Pakistan.

Describing Operation Sindoor as a new milestone in the fight against terrorism, Prime Minister Na

Rumored girlfriend Sara Tendulkar was seen with Shubman Gill, the user said- 'Rumors are true'

Indian cricketer Shubman Gill makes a lot of headlines in his game as well as his game. Many time

MS Dhoni Retirement: Team India changed after the retirement of 'Mahi', second finisher not found; pair of broken 'kulcha'

Former India captain MS Dhoni (MS Dhoni) said goodbye to international cricket on 15 August 2020.

Sign up to write
Sign up now if you have flare of writing..
Login   |   Register
Follow Us
Indyaspeak @ Facebook Indyaspeak @ Twitter Indyaspeak @ Pinterest RSS



Play Free Quiz and Win Cash