Allocation for LG Polls SC issues interim order preventing Treasury Secy. AG from withholding funds

• FR filed by SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda

The Supreme Court yesterday issued an interim order preventing the Treasury Secretary, the Attorney General who is representing the President and any other state official from withholding any funds allocated for the purpose of conducting Local Government Polls-2023. Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Janak De Silva and Priyantha Fernando made this order consequent to a Fundamental Rights petition filed by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara.

The Supreme Court further issued an interim Order preventing the Treasury Secretary, Attorney General who is representing the President from withholding any funds allocated by the budget for the year 2023 for the purpose of conducting Local Government Polls, from the Government Printer.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court further granted leave to proceed with this Fundamental Rights petition in terms of Articles 12(1) and 14(1)(a) of the Constitution. The matter was fixed for argument on May 21.
President’s Counsel Upul Jayasuriya appeared for the petitioner. Additional Solicitor General Priyantha Nawana appeared for the Attorney General. Saliya Pieris PC appeared for the Election Commission.

SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara filed this petition naming Secretary to the Treasury Mahinda Siriwardana, Government Printer Gangani Liyanage, Attorney General representing the President, the Election Commission Chairman and its members and several others as respondents.

The petitioner is challenging the alleged illegal and unlawful decisions of the Treasury Secretary to not provide adequate funds to the Election Commission for the purpose of conducting Local Authorities Elections, in violation of the Fundamental Rights guaranteed to the Petitioner and to all citizens of Sri Lanka by Articles 12(1) and 14(1)(a) of the Constitution and in violation of their right to exercise their franchise guaranteed to them by Articles 03 and 04 of the Constitution.       

EC to announce LG polls date before March 9

By Ajith Siriwardana  

The new date for the Local Government elections would be announced before March 9, the Elections Commission announced yesterday.  

The Commission said a suitable date for the LG polls would be decided following a discussion with the Finance Ministry and other relevant institutions based on yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling.  
The Elections Commission earlier said the new date for the LG polls would be announced yesterday.