Local Government polls 2025 : Don’t call for nominations till budget debate is over - Opposition

By Yohan Perera

A group of opposition parties including the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), and Illangi Tamil Arasu Kachchi (IATAK) members who met with Election Commission members yesterday urged them not to call for nominations for the Local Government polls until the budget debate is concluded.   

“The government cannot decide as to when the Local Government polls should be held. This decision has to be made by the Election Commission. 

It seems that the government wants the Election Commission to become its puppets. This cannot be the case,” Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa told media after the meeting.   
“IATAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam told media that all they asked the commission is to delay the calling of nominations till the budget debate is completed. “MPs are duty bound to participate in the budget debate. We the opposition MPs will not be able to participate in the election campaign in such a scenario. Therefore, we requested the Election Commission not to call for nominations till the budget debate is over,” he said.   
The opposition members said they are not against the holding of the elections. “It is we who went to courts asking the judiciary to issue an order calling the authorities to hold the polls,” they also said.   
The Local Government Elections (Special Provisions) Bill which enables the Election Commission to call fresh nominations for the local polls was approved by Parliament on Monday February 17, 2025. Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne endorsed the Bill as soon as it was approved. The Bill therefore has become law. Accordingly the Election Commission could declare polls at any time.