Election decisions belong to Parliament, EC: Namal

Colombo, May 25 (Daily Mirror) - The decisions on holding elections should be made by Parliament and the Election Commission, questioning how a party secretary could announce whether an election would or would not be held, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna National Organiser and MP Namal Rajapaksa said.

Speaking at a rally organised by the SLPP in Panadura yesterday (24), Namal criticised remarks allegedly made by a government party general secretary during a recent visit to Jaffna.

“Parliament and the Election Commissioner should decide whether an election should be held or not. How can a party secretary going around the country decide when the election is?” he asked.

Namal said a party secretary had no authority to declare whether elections would be held this year, adding that such decisions should be made through constitutional institutions.

He also claimed that despite there being no indication of an upcoming election, large crowds continued to attend SLPP meetings and electoral council gatherings, which he said reflected growing public dissatisfaction with the government and renewed confidence in his party.

The SLPP National Organiser further stated that the party had overcome several political challenges and remained active at grassroots level. He said the party had managed to stand against what he described as “anti-people policies” of the current administration.

Namal accused the government of coming to power by making false promises to the public, particularly to the youth. He alleged that promises regarding foreign exchange inflows, vehicle concessions, jobs for graduates and the establishment of industrial zones had not been fulfilled.

He also criticised the government’s handling of the economy, claiming there was no clear plan to address the country’s economic challenges. Rajapaksa further alleged that government ministers were giving contradictory statements regarding the economy and the depreciation of the rupee against the US dollar.