UNP’s proposal for putting off presidential and general elections nothing but stupid: SJB

A top Opposition MP yesterday (28) said that the media shouldn’t provide unnecessary coverage to stupid declarations made on behalf of the government.

The SJB lawmaker said that the government thrived on such meaningless statements. The MP said so when The Island asked for his response to UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara’s declaration that the life of Parliament and the President’s term should be extended by two years to enable the government to meet its commitments.

The former UNP State Minister made reference to Sri Lanka’s agreement with the IMF, World Bank and other donors. Bandara was addressing the media at Sirikotha.

The SJB official emphasised that the UNP owed an explanation whether the General Secretary made this statement on President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s directive. Last Wednesday, President Wickremesinghe assured the cabinet that presidential election would be conducted as constitutionally stipulated and required funds having been already allocated through the last budget.

The SJB spokesperson said that the former lawmaker seemed to be tasked with creating uncertainty and political instability.

In terms of the Constitution the Presidential election has to be held in Sept/Oct this year followed by parliamentary poll next years. Since the enactment of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, both presidential and parliamentary terms are for five years.

The SJB said that the UNP was seeking excuses and exploring ways and means to make the presidential poll disappear as it did with Local Government polls early last year claiming insufficient funds (SF)