Sri Lanka President says elections will be held on schedule

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the Presidential and Parliamentary elections will be held as scheduled, while the Provincial Council Election will be held once the existing legal obstacles are removed.

The President said some politically uninformed groups were making claims that the Government planned to postpone elections in order to create fear among the public.

He made the remarks while addressing public rallies held yesterday (September 6) in Bulathsinhala and Beruwala in the Kalutara District.

The rallies marked the first stage of a series organised under the theme “People’s Rule: Two Years Strong – Progress for All.”

President Dissanayake said the Provincial Council Election would be held as soon as an electoral system acceptable to all parties represented in Parliament is decided.

He said he would never attempt to mislead the people in order to remain in power, adding that the Government always places its trust in the public.

The President also called on the people to further strengthen the National People’s Power (NPP) as the strongest political movement at the village level and contribute to what he described as the historic journey of rebuilding the country.

Referring to legal action against those accused of wrongdoing, the President said there was little value in punishing offenders only after a long period had passed.

He said punishment should be imposed while the incident was still fresh in the minds of the public and added that the Government would bring the necessary constitutional amendments without fear.

President Dissanayake said the Government would not reverse decisions that had been carefully taken in the interests of the people.

He further said that once the determination relating to the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution is received, it would be presented to Parliament for approval.

The President said the Government would then take steps to punish those involved in corruption.