It is unlikely that Finance Ministry would release sufficient funds: EC

13 March 2023 10:48 am - 11 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

A highly disappointed chairman of the Election Commission (EC) Nimal G. Punchihewa yesterday lamented that it is unlikely that the Finance Ministry would release sufficient funds to the EC to conduct Local Council (LC) polls as ordered by the highest court in the country and therefore the only remedy is to seek redress from the Supreme Court once again as a last resort.

But it has to be done by the petitioners – the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) - who obtained the Supreme Court ruling that ordered the Finance Ministry to release funds to the EC promptly, he added.

“We as the EC, the constitutionally mandated authority to conduct elections in time are ready to put our side of the story before the Supreme Court if and when the SJB moves the Supreme Court to take further action in respect of the Treasury’s continuous repudiation of the Supreme Court interim order,” Mr. Punchihewa told Daily Mirror last morning.

Mr. Punchihewa said the EC would meet today or tomorrow to decide on the next course of action in the backdrop of Finance Ministry’s repeated rejection to release funds for the EC ignoring the Supreme Court ruling.

Asked by the Daily Mirror, Mr. Punchihewa said there was no legal impediment to announce another date to hold LG polls in the event of the EC’s inability to conduct LG polls on April 25 as scheduled.

The General Secretary of the main opposition SJB, Ranjith Madduma Bandara filing an FR petition was able to obtain an interim order from the Supreme Court on March 3 preventing the Secretary to the Treasury, the Attorney General who represented the President and any other public official from withholding funds allocated to the EC from the budget 2023 and thus protected the voting rights and Fundamental Rights of 22 million Sri Lankans.

The three-judge Supreme Court bench comprising Preethi Padman Surasena J, Janak De Silva J, and Priyantha Fernando, J further granted leave to proceed with the FR petition.(Sandun A. Jayasekera)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 11

Suwaris Monday, 13 March 2023 11:03 AM

Why are you speculating with so much media attention? Formerly write to the ministry and ask what date they will release the funds and plan the election accordingly. if they don't give a reply or the reply needs further clarification write again. please note all of you government servants including the Min of Finance and EC are one team. And the tax paying public has to work hard to keep all of you sustained to do your jobs. please do it professionally without this media circus.

Dina mina Monday, 13 March 2023 11:07 AM

Courts said what ever money the Ministry has allocated for elections should be given for the election. They did not specify when it should be done because that is as per the plan of the Min of Finance. So now why did you think you can plan to spend money which you don't have?

Hitler Monday, 13 March 2023 11:13 AM

Looks like that one man is running the show and ruling against all other democratic entities in the country.Even the SC seem to be looking helpless.A warning should come from the IMF.

EC works with SJB a political party Monday, 13 March 2023 11:23 AM

I smell a rat. The EC is now dependent on the SJB to carry out its crazy plan to get in 8000 plus LG members, which is more than double LG members required. What underhanded benefit is EC seeking for its excess instead of waiting for the total LG seats to halved and then conduct the election?

Lanka Monday, 13 March 2023 11:33 AM

SC court and all judiciary and other legal environments are under government control..so they can't go against Ranil at this time ..What Ranil want to happen will happen... nothing could dislodge him except another Aragalaya.He knows well that people are frustrated with all Aragalaya. So don't expect any election soon..wiat next year to see if Presidential election is going to take place first and then the general and other elections....Foxes will never sleep in these election times

pradeep Monday, 13 March 2023 12:37 PM

EC don't have any backbone or they also actors of a mega drama, wasting millions of public funds

johan Monday, 13 March 2023 01:14 PM

EC must get definite word from FM, Otherwise PAFREL and Opposition MPs can find balance 440 million to finish this pending and much spoken subject.And also FM must release the official document in regard to monthly finance disbursemnts, to public s to view.

Man Monday, 13 March 2023 01:21 PM

If it so, take legal action against the officials, as per the relevant Act, without delay.

Jega Monday, 13 March 2023 01:46 PM

Majority of the people in SL have not asked for an election which is not an urgent need of the hour. It is only crucial for JVP and SJB who other wise will be at a losing point once the IMF funds and other fund from world bank and ADB loan are released. Now poor people need medicines and farmers need manure for a lower price. Givernment need not obtaian money for a higher interest rate like 25-30 % from banks and through treasurey bill for this unwanted election at this time. The commisioners can do better than the politicians in the local government bodies.

Buddhist Monday, 13 March 2023 03:38 PM

The courts should order the Police to arrest the Treasury Secretary and the Speaker and produce them before the court.

RR Monday, 13 March 2023 06:17 PM

WHY DOUBT ABOUT RELEASING FUNDS TO HOLD THE ELECTIONS?

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.

It is unlikely that Finance Ministry would release sufficient funds: EC

Comments - 11

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

Belgian traveller scammed in Kalutara

23 year old youth ends up having his testicles removed

April 15 declared a government holiday

New Visa procedure implemented

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

MIRROR CRICKET

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Wild elephants pull down 16 telephone poles

Middleman arrested for price gouging at Kalutara eatery

Bondholders’ agreement delay won’t hinder IMF third tranche payout: Dr. Coomaraswamy

Party leaders to shoot down MPs request for concessionary duty free vehicle permits

Hardik fined Rs 12 lakh for violating IPL code of conduct after win over Punjab Kings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings