SLFP warns President on LG bodies

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) today warned President Maithripala Sirisena saying it will go to the next level if he fails to hold elections for the Local Government (LG) bodies whose terms have now ended.

SLFP spokesman and former Minister Dilan Perera said that while the President had decided to appoint special commissioners to the LG bodies, the SLFP wants elections to be held.

The term of LG bodies ended on May 15 and?President Maithripala Sirisena announced that instead of holding elections to those LG bodies they will come under the administration of?special commissioners.

The Government had said that General Elections will be held before holding elections for the LG bodies.

“When the term of the?LG bodies ended the SLFP made a request that elections for those?LG bodies be held. However instead of holding elections the administration of those?LG bodies have been brought under special commissioners. This takes away the right to vote from the public,” Perera?said.

Perera claimed?that the decision had been influenced by the United National Party (UNP) and that it will also harm the name of the President.

He said that the SLFP has now urged the President to hold elections for the LG bodies and that they are awaiting his response.

Perera said that if the President does not respond positively, then the SLFP is ready to?take the next step to ensure the voting rights of the people is protected. (Colombo Gazette)