Failure of govt. agencies to hold LG polls challenged in SC

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) has filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court challenging the failure and refusal of several government departments to take the necessary steps to hold the Local Government elections.   

The CPA and its Executive Director Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu filed this petition naming Treasury Secretary, Government Printer and Inspector General of Police and several others as respondents. The petitioners stated that the elections to elect persons as members of local authorities are required to be held every 4 years in terms of the relevant statutes. Elections were previously held in 2018, and the term of the Local Authorities that were due to expire in 2022 were ended for a year thereafter.   

The petitioners stated that the conduct of the Government Printer and the Inspector General of Police are indicative of a coordinated campaign to procrastinate the holding of local Authority elections. The petitioners also stated that the President in the capacity as the Minister of Finance and the Secretary to the Treasury have not until the very last minute on the 23rd of February 2023 indicated that there is a issue in the allocation of funds to conduct the elections. The petitioners maintained that these actions are prejudicial to the fundamental rights of the petitioners and the citizens of Sri Lanka.