Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Member of Parliament (MP) Eran Wickremeratne, yesterday (12) stressed that elections must be held on time, and that it is not the prerogative of an Executive to make decisions in that regard.
Referring to various factors that delayed the Local Government (LG) election, which was slated to be held on 9 March, he urged the Government to uphold democracy, instead of employing various tactics to further delay the LG election.
He made these remarks in response to the claim made by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Attorney-at-Law Premanath C. Dolawatta that the recent interim order issued by the Supreme Court (SC) in relation to releasing funds for the Local Government (LG) election is a clear breach of powers and privileges of Parliament. Noting that the Judiciary has every right to say what it has to say, MP Wickremesinghe urged the Government not to try to create a conflict between Parliament and the Judiciary.
He raised serious concerns about the roles of the Judiciary and the Legislature in upholding democracy: “Constitutionalism requires a legal and political culture and durable institutions. The legal fraternity in Sri Lanka needs to fulfil its obligations while those of us, who are elected MPs, should look at building the political culture and ensuring a democratic culture.”
Emphasising the crucial and influential role civil society could play and has played in upholding democracy in the country, especially through human rights groups, social action organisations, journalists, and lawyers, MP Wickremeratne added: “We must ensure that constitutional innovation is no longer the sole monopoly of law professionals or party leaders. Everyone, including the President and the Prime Minister, should recognise that. Civil Society has an expanding role as the frontiers of fundamental rights. I would like to say even to our friendly countries that uphold the principles of democracy, human rights and rule of law that you must look beyond individuals and the fear of geopolitical pressures, to ensure that values of individual and fundamental rights are upheld. If not, Sri Lanka will deteriorate into a conflict which we have seen every 20 to 25 years, and we need to avoid this.”
In addition, criticising the delay in providing the necessary financial resources for the LG election, MP Wickremeratne noted that despite the Government’s claims that there is a severe lack of funds, it keeps spending more money than the amount requested for the LG election, i.e. Rs. 4.5 billion, for various purposes.