PM says PC polls will be held when the ground situation improves

by Norman Palihawadana

The government is contemplating holding the Provincial Council elections when the ground situation in the country is conducive to go ahead with the polls, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said on Friday.

He was responding to a query on whether the government has reached a decision on pushing ahead with the polls as opinion in the country is divided with strident calls from some quarters to abrogate Provincial Councils.

“We cannot make predictions but remain optimistic of holding the elections when the coast is clear”, the premier told The Sunday Island.

On the surging Covid-19 pandemic, he said that some people tend to harp on the negative aspects without appreciating the hard work of the health sector, police, armed services and government officials to stem the tide.

The situation should improve with necessary precautionary measures in place, he assured. “It won’t be as bad as what it is now with the ongoing concerted effort to tackle the threat in time to come”.

He further said that punitive action will be taken against all those whose lapses led to the Easter Sunday attacks, based on the findings of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry.