We are happy that the election has been postponed to June 20, 2020 by the Election Commission

By Yohan Perera   

Samagi Jana Balawegaya ( SJB) yesterday said it was happy to some extent about the decision taken by the Election Commission (EC) to postpone the general election to June 20, 2020 but stressed that it had not resolved constitutional issues.   

SJB candidate and former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka told a press conference that the legal provision that the new Parliament should meet before June 2, 2020 is still valid despite the new gazette notification which was issued on Monday night. “Legal issues which still exist pertaining to the general election, needed to be addressed,” the former Minister said.    “We are happy that the election has been postponed to June 20, 2020 by the Election Commission” he added.   

“The government was not tackling the COVID-19 crisis based on health aspects but focused on political aspects instead. This is why a plan was initially drawn up to announce that COVID-19 crisis was over,” he said.   Mr. Ranawaka alleged that only a small amount of funds have been released to the public although Rs. 200 billion has been printed from March 14 to April 14. “Government should release at least 1 percent of GDP to people like many other countries,” he said in this regard.   

Also he stressed the need for excessive testing for COVID-19. 

• Mr. Ranawaka alleged that only a small amount of funds have been  released to the public although Rs. 200 billion has been printed from  March 14 to April 14