Governors using funds allocated to PCs: Dinesh

The opposition today brought to the notice of the government about delays in holding the Provincial Council elections claiming that the chairman of the elections commission had said the PC polls could be held.

Joint Opposition MP Dinesh Gunawardane told parliament that the Governors were using funds allocated for provincial councils which were against democratic principles.

Leader of the House and Minister Lakshman Kiriella said PC polls were delayed due to legal barriers.

He said it was only a part of the new provincial council system that was passed in parliament and added that the opposition opposed to the delimitation which had delayed the election.

"If we want to have the election under the old system, we need to bring in a resolution in parliament. The opposition and the government should come to an agreement an adopt required laws to hold the PC polls under the old system," he said.

MP Dayasiri Jayasekara said the Delimitation Review Committee appointed by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had not submitted its report in parliament even though it was supposed to do it within two months. (Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera)