Main opposition SJB says masses still have unsullied faith in SC

Main opposition SJB told Parliament that all those who uphold the values of democracy have pinned their hopes on the Supreme Court decision on the local council polls.

Chief Opposition Whip and SJB Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella said that the Supreme Court has always stood by the rights of the people for their franchise and this time too it would do the same. “Entire nation today has pinned its hopes on the Supreme Court decision. Postponing elections means nothing but depriving people’s right to vote. It is our hope and wish that the Supreme Court will go by its precedence and give an order to government officials to release funds needed for the holding of local council polls on March 9,” Kiriella said.

He said that the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance and the Government Printer have put the Constitution aside and are hanging onto a circular and a statement to delay the polls as per the wish of the government which fears elections. “A circular and a statement cannot go above the Constitution which is considered the supreme law of the land. Right to vote is a fundamental right and the Elections Commission by delaying the polls is denying the basic human right to people. No court of law would allow that to prevail,” the Kandy District MP said.

“As per the constitution sovereignty lies in the people and people exercise their sovereign power by the courts through parliament. Now people are awaiting to see how the courts would exercise their sovereign power. A sum of Rs 10 billion has been allocated by the last budget for elections. Of that amount only five billion rupees are needed to be released to the elections commission to hold the local council polls.

“At the last party leaders’ meeting we in the opposition demanded that time be allocated for a debate on the issue of delaying polls. The government members opposed allocating time for this. They are using their numerical superiority to hinder the prevailing democracy. The court is the last hope and resort people have at a time like this,” Kiriella said.