President must decide on General Elections: UNP

Saturday, 11 April 2020 20:47 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Taking into consideration the prevailing situation, the President must take a decision about the General Election based on the powers vested in him by the Constitution, said the United National Party (UNP) Deputy General Secretary Ruwan Wijewardene today.

“The President should focus on the coronavirus situation the country is facing and take a decision on the election based on the powers vested in him by the Constitution, without passing the decision on to other stakeholders,” Wijewardene said in a statement, pointing out that the country cannot afford to spend billions of rupees on an election given the current economic climate.

“The Government must decide if they are going to strengthen their political power or focus on rebuilding the nation and a broken economy at a time the Opposition has given unconditional support to address the crisis situation,” Wijewardene stated, adding that the UNP was ready to face an election at any time.

He urged the Government to work towards the betterment of the public and not to act according to a political agenda.

Some decisions taken by the Government challenges the laws of the land and raises questions on the Government’s intentions, Wijewardene charged, alleging that the Government was preparing to suppress the media.

“The Government has taken into custody and plan to prosecute a number of persons who have allegedly criticised State officials and engaged in publishing fake news. We have no objection about stopping fake news but nothing is being done about the fake news being spread about opposition politicians,” he said, arguing that the Government's involvement is a sign that media suppression may be around the corner.

The UNP Deputy General Secretary also alleged that the Government was planning to release some drug traffickers and called on the Government to make a public statement on the matter.