Cash-strapped Govt. to cough up additional Rs.11 billion if general election is declared

• Over Rs.10Bn already allocated to  EC in 2024 budget
• President has the discretion to dissolve Parliament at any  time 
• SLPP insists  on a snap general election 
• UNP says it is ill-advised to have a general  election

By Kelum Bandara 

The cash-strapped government will have to cough up another  Rs.11 billion in case a snap parliamentary election is declared ahead  of the Presidential Election which is anyway due in terms of the  Constitution during the last quarter of this year, Daily Mirror learns.   

This will be in addition to over Rs.10 billion already  allocated to the Election Commission in the 2024 budget for the  conduct of the Presidential Election.   

A spokesman for the Election Commission told Daily Mirror  that money had not been allocated in the current budget for a General Election since it is not scheduled for this year. However, President  Ranil Wickremesinghe has the discretion to dissolve Parliament at any  time to call for a snap general election. Also, he is empowered to  allocate money from the Consolidated Fund to conduct the general  election if declared by him.   

 The Constitution says the President can dissolve  Parliament and fix a date for a general election. Unless Parliament has  already made provision in that behalf, the President can authorize  allocations from the Consolidated Fund for required expenditure after  consultation with the election authorities. 

 
Currently, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) which ensures  parliamentary support for the President to run the government insists  on a general election. However, the United National Party (UNP) which is  headed by the President, says it is ill-advised to have a general  election.