The government has decided to postpone the provincial council election until the COVID-19 pandemic is subdued.
The decision was made at a meeting of party leaders of the ruling coalition held under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday (28).
It is reported that party leaders Dinesh Gunawardena, Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila had opposed the move to conduct the provincial council election.
The Maha Sangha have pointed out that the provincial councils are moving towards a 'natural death'.
Senior Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara said that the party leaders had decided to postpone the provincial council election considering the request made by the Maha Sangha as well as due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, Minister S.M. Chandrasena said that the provincial council election has been postponed only as a temporary measure in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Need to discuss with India - SLFP
State minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said that the President along with Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa and Basil Rajapaksa, had paid attention to certain issues faced by the SLFP during this meeting.
Responding to a query by the media regarding the provincial council election, the General Secretary of the SLFP, state minister Dayasiri Jayasekara noted that conducting the provincial council election at this time isn't mandatory in view of the pandemic.
He said that the government will not be able to make a decision alone and that the matter should be discussed with India.
State minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said that the President along with Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa and Basil Rajapaksa, had paid attention to certain issues faced by the SLFP during this meeting.
Responding to a query by the media regarding the provincial council election, the General Secretary of the SLFP, state minister Dayasiri Jayasekara noted that conducting the provincial council election at this time isn't mandatory in view of the pandemic.
He said that the government will not be able to make a decision alone and that the matter should be discussed with India.
"We are working on a new constitution at this very moment. We are making arrangements to conduct all elections, including the provincial council election, as previously scheduled," the statement by the minister said.
"The Maha Sangha has voiced their opposition with regard to the provincial council election. As a party, we are of the view that all elections must be held in due course," he added.
