PAFFREL calls on political parties, groups to foil move to postpone LG elections

By Sujeewa Thathsara

Political parties had the ability to thwart attempts by the government to postpone local council elections, Executive Director of People’s Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Rohana Hettiarachchi said yesterday.Various political parties and independent groups had deposited Rs 186 million with the Elections Commission as deposits.

They can give this money to the Treasury to be used for election expenses.

“Political parties and independent groups can give affidavits asking the Treasury to use their deposits. The government is trying to delay elections not because it doesn’t have money. It doesn’t want to hold elections for political reasons and it is up to political parties and independent groups to thwart these attempts,” he said.

Hettiarachchi said postponing local council elections would have a devastating impact on Sri Lanka’s international reputation.

Sri Lanka needs bridging finance from other countries and no one will come forth to support an unstable government, he said.