Saturday Apr 27, 2024
Saturday Apr 27, 2024
Thursday, 28 May 2020 00:18 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Sri Lanka Nidahas Podujana Sandanaya (SLNPS) yesterday said further delay of the General Election could undermine democratic rights of citizens and called on the Election Commission (EC) to consider the prevailing situation in the country and fix a date for the polls.
Speaking to reporters, former Parliamentarian Vasudeva Nanayakkara said delaying the election would undermine democratic rights of citizens and their ability to elect their representatives to the Legislature.
“The EC’s responsibility is to hold the election and they cannot walk away from that responsibility. It is obvious that there is a division among the members of the commission. This has led us to the view that the Commission’s impartiality has been compromised,” he said.
The former Parliamentarian pointed out that the Government cannot force the EC to hold the election on a date that will be not suitable. However, he noted the EC should consider the prevailing situation and follow health experts’ guidelines to fix a date as soon as possible.
He argued health officials have assured the COVID-19 situation in the county is controlled to an extent that elections can be held with strict guidelines and social distancing measures.
Speaking to media, former Parliamentarian Gamini Lokuge said the country should increase domestic production as it would be vital to driving up growth in the short term. He noted the Government has already taken several measures to increase domestic production.
“We had to import even Vesak lanterns at one point, which showed that as a nation, we have failed to increase domestic production. Therefore the President and the Prime Minister have taken several measures to increase domestic production and reduce imports, which is positive in terms of reducing the economic impact from the virus,” he added.
He said the Government will increase agriculture production to strengthen food security. Lokuge pointed out that the Government will increase paddy and other crop production to minimise food importation, which will improve the living conditions of local farmers.
