Postponement of LG elections a dangerous precedent - Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith

By Yohan Perera  

Postponement of local government elections could be a dangerous precedent as it would eventually push the nation into a dictatorial rule, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said yesterday.

“The postponement of polls will result in Sri Lanka losing the confidence it had earned from the international community. We appeal to the authorities not to push the country towards a greater crisis at a time when it is hit by bankruptcy and assistance of World Bank, IMF and the nations,” Cardinal Ranjith said in a special statement.   
“It is the duty of all political parties, civil organizations and religious leaders to come forward for the sake of the nation,” he added.  

“We appeal to the President and the government to ensure that the local polls are held on time. We also trust that they will take steps to avoid earning a negative reputation that they are a lot who are not willing to a change and bow down to the people’s mandate,” he also said.  

“Franchise is a tool people use to use their sovereignty practically and is a right which they enjoy. It is the duty of the President to see that the local elections are held. If the President and the public servants fail in this exercise it would be a violation of the Constitution,” the Cardinal stressed.