Postponing LG polls: President says he doesn’t regret decision

While acknowledging that postponing the Local Government elections is a violation of the citizens' basic rights, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said he does not regret this decision. 

The President said he was not remorseful as the time was dedicated to ensuring the people's right to live and in maintaining their safety. 

This statement comes hot on the heels of the Supreme Court ruling that the President, as the Minister of Finance, and the then members of the Election Commission have violated the fundamental rights of the people through the postponement of the 2023 Local Government elections.

The President emphasized his respect for both the right to vote and the right to live.

The President made these remarks while addressing the National Conference of the New People's Front (NPF) at the National Youth Services Council auditorium in Maharagama this afternoon (22).

He explained that if he had devoted the time to conduct the Local Government elections, then achieving economic stability would not have been possible.