Commenting on the Supreme Court’s decision to give the upcoming Local Government elections the go-ahead, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said it is a victory for the people. Noting that the Election Commission (EC) agreed to hold the polls as scheduled, Madduma Bandara said the petitioners, including himself, commend the independent EC on the steps taken by it. 

“It was the SJB that fought for elections from the beginning. We filed a case regarding it while others stayed silent,” he said. Slamming the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Madduma Bandara said despite claiming they are for elections, they chose not to accompany the opposition parties to meet the EC. “It is the SJB and other parties that went to courts and obtained this victory,” he said. 

Noting that the Government has attempted various tactics to delay polls, Madduma Bandara called on state sector employees from refraining from undertaking any orders that will violate the democratic rights of the people. 

Madduma Bandara made these comments at a press conference held at the Opposition Leader’s office in Colombo yesterday. Also addressing those gathered MP Lakshman Kiriella noted that the counsel appearing for the EC pledged that elections will go ahead as scheduled. “The right to franchise is a basic human right. Not holding the polls will violate this right,” he said. 

Kiriella also noted that the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka will now have to provide the necessary funds for the elections. He said a new Government is a necessity for the country to go forward as its evident international organisations will not provide assistance to the current Government as it has no mandate. 

LG polls: Court gives EC the green light