A member of the public has filed a writ petition before the Supreme Court seeking an order to suspend the upcoming Local Government elections. 

The petition was filed by a retired Army Colonel, W.M.R. Wijesundera on the basis that he was informed by the Election Commission of Sri Lanka (EC) that the election can only be funded through Government revenue or by obtaining a loan for the purpose. 

The petitioner questioned the benefit to the public and the country by holding a vote at this juncture. He noted that in response to a Right-to-Information Act (RTI) inquiry on whether the necessary funds are available to be allocated for the holding of an election, the EC informed him in writing that Rs. 10 billion will be required for the purpose. 

The petitioner said the EC noted it would only be possible if it was funded on the basis of what he described as ‘revenue generation or debt obtainment’.

The Election Commission, including its Chairman Nimal G. Punchihewa, the Prime Minister, the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and the Attorney General has been named as the respondents.

Presenting to courts all documentation in his possession, the petitioner also highlighted the current income of the country, conditions imposed by the International Monetary Fund and the ratings given to Sri Lanka by international credit rating agencies, and the Government’s income and expenditure for the past three years. 

Points out that work is being carried out for nationwide electoral reform and laws are being formulated for the financial control in election campaigning and political representation of youth and women is being decided as well as candidate transparency and that a parliamentary selection committee is working on these matters.

“This is also the time a dialogue is taking placing to curtail one-third of the 8,711 Local Government members who are a heavy economic and social burden to the country. Also, there is an inability to obtain bilateral and multilateral loans and inflation resulting from money printing and bearing election costs will definitely lead to a collapse of the economy. Once again there will be no fuel and gas, lengthy power cuts etc. that will subject the country to many grave crises and social pressure to maintain the living conditions,” he said. 

The petitioner in his petition demands that a writ order be issued to the respondents preventing the holding of a Local Government Election and to impose time-appropriate interim injunctions until the conclusion of the trial. 

LG polls: Notice for nominations to be issued today