Marikkar warns Govt. plan to delay polls afoot

• Says Govt. attempting to hatch plan within next two weeks to delay polls 
• Challenges Govt. to hold polls if not afraid to face people’s mandate 
• Claims SJB will bring scores to the streets against Govt. if elections are delayed

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP S.M. Marikkar said signs are afoot that the Government is attempting to hatch a plan to delay polls within the next two weeks. 

The Election Commission of Sri Lanka announced this week that it would call for nominations for Local Government polls during the final week of December. However, the announcement has come under fire as many opposition MPs have claimed the early announcement is a sign that an attempt will be made to halt elections during the time. 

Marikkar speaking in Parliament yesterday accused the Government of attempting to delay polls through various means due to the fear of facing the people’s mandate. 

“Those who were responsible for destroying the country’s economy and making it bankrupt by implementing incorrect fiscal policies as well as those who supported these are now calling everyone to come together. 

“Those who propagated racism and used religion to divide as well as those who contributed to the complete collapse of the country are saying we must come together. If you are incapable and you caused this crisis, give the people a chance to practise their voting rights. The economic crisis is not an excuse to delay polls.” he said. 

“If the people who once had three meals are now in hunger, if they are being taxed and their livelihoods destroyed, when people are being killed while still alive, the only way they can let out their hurt and pain is through an election,” the MP added.

He challenged the Government to hold elections as scheduled. “Why are you afraid?” he asked. “If you claim to have ended queues and set the country’s economy on the correct path, the people will vote for you. We will not allow polls to be delayed,” he said. 

According to the MP, the SJB will bring thousands of people onto the roads if any attempts are made to delay the polls. “We will bring hundreds of thousands of people onto the roads. We are not like these false patriots, we truly love this country. That is why we have not brought the people onto the streets yet in this situation. 

“We are capable of bringing people onto the roads at a moment’s notice. Not even the military or Police can stop it. The only reason we do not do it is that we do not want to disrupt the country further. But don’t misuse this to delay polls,” he warned. 

He said the SJB will show their strength at Campbell Park over the weekend. “The Government thinks the Aragalaya is now over and they can do as they please. The people will not allow the Government to act in this manner,” he noted.