The attempt by the government to postpone the election to conceal its impotency would be defeated and measures would be taken to win the right of the people to vote said the Leader of the JVP Anura Dissanayaka.
Spaking at a press conference held at the head office of the JVP at Pelawatta today (28th) Mr. Dissanayaka said all measures would be taken in Court to defeat the attempt to postpone the election. However, if this attempt fails they would take the issue to the streets to get it solved said Mr. Dissanayaka.
The Member of the Central Committee of the JVP, Kalutara District Parliamentarian Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa too was present.
Mr. Dissanayaka said, “The stand of our party regarding the uncertain situation of holding the local government election should be explained. The official term of a majority of local government councils terminated in March 2015. Holding the election has been postponed as a result of various political reasons as well as technical difficulties linked with the election.
The UNP, the Maithri faction of the SLFP as well as the Mahinda faction continued to push for postponements. The UNP hoped to create an advantageous situation for them before holding the election. Maithri faction wanted to show it still maintain the 6.2 million votes it got at the presidential election. Going to the election on their own would expose the true voter base which would be a political self-destruction. This is why they followed the scheme to postpone the election. Mahinda faction despite displaying on the surface that it was carrying out a struggle to win the election engaged in a scheme to cover up its inability.
As technical reasons, it was necessary to change the local government election system and delimitation process Basil Rajapaksa had compiled and followed. For this process was compiled at the residences of SLFP organizers. This distortion had to be corrected. We, as the JVP, participated in all these matters. Commission report of delimitation by Mr. Asoka Peris’ Commission was passed in February 2017. The Gazette was released in September. There was no obstacle to hold the local government elections. We accept the right of anyone going to court regarding their grievances. However, we are not prepared to allow anyone to use the judiciary to postpone elections deceitfully. It has been established that the petitions filed at the Court of Appeal is a shady political game of the Maithri faction. Anyone had time since February this year to file a petition. No one had taken such a step. This is an insincere political move. We assure the people in this can that we would do everything possible as a political party to defeat the sinister move and get the election for the people. We will also see that the election would be a victory for the people. We would initially follow the Parliamentary process to win the election for the people. It would be our first approach. We will also take legal action. Already, the Attorney General has filed a motion to get the hearing of the petition advanced. We would deploy our own team of lawyers to expose in Court the politics of the postponement. The easiest process to get the issue solved is the judiciary. Whet the petitioners should do is to withdraw the petitions. We would be very watchful regarding the moves that would be carried out in Court on the 30th. Also, as a third process, we have already held public agitations in Akuressa and Malabe areas. We would get a river of people to Colombo on the 30th to launch a protest movement against the attempt to constrict people’s right to vote. If it is necessary to settle this issue on the road we would gladly intervene. If the petitions are not withdrawn in Court we would definitely rally the people and would assure that we would win the people their right to vote.
We would like to extend special thanks to the Elections Commission. It has taken a rigid decision to hold elections for 93 councils. This is a victory for independent commissions. If there was no independent election commission the government officials would have to submit to the decisions of the government. We appreciate the decision taken to hold elections. Also, the number of votes Mr. Maithripala Sirisena’s faction would poll cannot be hidden. The UNP is making only a faint murmur about winning the election. It is trying to put its impotency on Maithri faction as an excuse. It is so with the Mahinda faction as well. Internally, they hope that the election would not be held. For, Mahinda Rajapaksa would not be the prime minister even if they win the election. However, the moves that we have begun, without any petty intentions, to get the voting right for masses would be taken forward after considering the court decision on the 30th. We would never allow anyone to obstruct the right of the people to vote.”
