Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
Last Updated : 2024-05-19 23:42:00
18 February 2023 05:47 pm - 6 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
While expressing its concern regarding the attempts by state authorities to disrupt the Local Authorities Elections, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) reiterated that all those responsible for interfere with the electoral process must be dealt with in accordance with the law.
Issuing a statement in this regard, the BASL emphasized that all elections are a vital part of Sri Lanka's democratic process and must not be hindered.
The BASL noted several decisions by the government in recent weeks, purportedly aimed at managing public funds, have had the effect of preventing the Elections Commission from conducting the elections.
These include a demand by the Government Printer for the release of funds prior to the printing of ballot papers and the Secretary to the Treasury claiming that there are no funds available for the elections, despite a budget allocation of Rs.10 billion for the purpose of elections.
The BASL stated that the conduct of the Secretary to the Treasury, the Government Printer, and other government officials and institutions over the last few weeks clearly demonstrates a concerted effort to bring the elections to a halt, thus undermining the franchise of the people and endangering the sovereignty of the people.
Such attempts to prevent elections mandated by law represent an unprecedented attack on democracy and the rule of law and pose a grave threat to the electoral process in the future.
The BASL warned that such actions could set a dangerous precedent for an unpopular executive or legislature to obstruct the allocation of resources for an election and prevent the people of Sri Lanka from choosing their representatives and leaders.
The BASL also maintained that Article 104 B (2) and 104 GG (1) of the Constitution make it clear that all state authorities are duty bound to cooperate with the Elections Commission and that refusing or failing to do so is a criminal offense punishable with imprisonment.
In terms of Article 33 (c) of the Constitution the President too is empowered to ensure the creation of proper conditions for the conduct of free and fair elections, at the request of the Election Commission.(Lakmal Sooriyagoda)
Buddhist Saturday, 18 February 2023 09:15 PM
When a new government is formed an independent commission with powers to prosecute must be formed. Even the President at that point will not have immunity and can be brought before the commission and punished. If those who are following delayed tactics to block the election are not punished, this will become a common occurrence whenever the then-prevailing government will feel it's going to be defeated.
Jayantha Saturday, 18 February 2023 10:41 PM
SJB and JVP are taking the current economic situation to their own advantage and demanding local government election. The country has suffered through one of the world’s worst economic crises for most of the last year, marked by soaring inflation, food and fuel shortages, and low supplies of foreign reserves. Even with the increased support, Sri Lanka’s immediate economic outlook looks grim. Inflation surged to more than 70 percent in August last year and remained nearly as high in December, defying predictions from Sri Lanka’s Central Bank that prices would fall. Can we afford to have an election at this juncture. Answer is BIG NO. Postpone the election
Nm Sunday, 19 February 2023 11:36 AM
Very true. Majority do not want LG elections at this juncture. It is the political parties
Buddhist Sunday, 19 February 2023 05:53 PM
If there are no funds to hold the elections, how can they give each over 100 commandos and numerous vehicles for the security of Mahinda and Gota?
No money to do law, nothing can happen Sunday, 19 February 2023 07:33 PM
A country can have any law it wants, but if there is no money to pay for it, nothing will happen. Even BASL the courts ask for election nothing can happen if there is no money. Surely BASL can understand money is needed for activity and if there is none, it will be like the power cut times before the tariff revision. It all happened because lack of funds.
ap ap Sunday, 19 February 2023 08:54 PM
if they can able to spend more to independent day celebrations place to place such as galleface ,jaffna,kandy but they don't have money to hold the election to ensure the democracy whatever happens the government should re confirm their influence through elections to justify their unfair decision which are made in recent such as increase of electicity fees and other price hike as well as other political decisions.
Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.
Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
The state-run loss-making State Mortgage & Investment Bank (SMIB) has reveale
US authorities are currently reviewing the manifest of every cargo aboard MV
On March 26, a couple arriving from Thailand was arrested with 88 live animal
According to villagers from Naula-Moragolla out of 105 families 80 can afford
17 May 2024 - 0 - 136
