Colombo, February 25: The Sri Lanka’s Election Commission has postponed the local government elections citing ‘absence of sufficient funds’ from the government.
“We have sought the intervention of the Parliamentary Speaker to secure the funds required to hold the elections,” the statement from the Election Commission, said and added, “the nee dates for the elections will be announced on March 3”
The Sri Lankan treasury has said that it did not have adequate funds to hold local polls that is estimated to cost Rs 10 billion.
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickramasinghe has come in for sharp criticism for ‘the precarious condition of the country’s economy’
Ranil, however, asserted that his ‘priority was rebuilding economy and not politics’
The country’s top lawyers, academicians and human rights activists have demanded timely polls to local bodies.
The Anglican church has also criticized Ranil Wickramasinghe for not enabling the Election Commission to hold elections.
“The hallmark of any democracy is the opportunity it affords citizens to choose their own elected representatives at due time. Denying that opportunity to our people will only affirm the fact that we are now under dictatorship,” the Church statement said.
EOM
