By Yohan Perera  

Making a fresh call for an election, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday said President Ranil Wickremesinghe has three options when it comes to holding a poll.  

“President can hold the local government election as the term of all local bodies has ended. Or he can even hold the provincial council election as the term of all provincial council elections ended years ago. Also he can even go for a General Election after March 2023,” SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara told media.  “It is better to go for whatever election and feel the pulse of the people in a time such as this when the country is in a crisis. An election is the best option to revive the nation at this point,” he added.  

Referring to recent remarks made by President Wickremesinghe that he will have to call for a referendum if the parties cannot come to an agreement on electoral reforms , Madduma Bandara said the President should tell the nation the purpose of a referendum. “ Is he going to ask people whether they want the Executive Presidency scrapped?” he questioned.