SJB-SLFP alliance in the offing?

• The Election Commission can act independently and it does not have to seek the President’s permission to declare an election
• We are conferring with a number of political parties to form an alliance

By Yohan Perera  

Whilst calling the Election Commission to declare the local government election by the end of this month, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday hinted that it is in the process of forming an alliance with several parties.  

SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara came out with this remark at a media conference in response to a question raised by journalists as to whether his party intends forming an alliance with the SLFP.  

“We are conferring with a number of political parties to form an alliance,” Madduma Bandara said without ruling out an SJB SLFP alliance.  

“The Election Commission has said that the local government election should be called by end of this month if it is holding the local government elections before February 20. Therefore we call upon the commission to declare the local government election immediately,” he added.  

“ The Election commission can act independently and it does not have to seek the President’s permission to declare an election.  

Asked about the recent remarks made by UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara that a presidential elections would come first, Madduma Bandara said such an event is not possible according to the constitution. “ Parliament should be dissolved in March in that case so that a general election could be held,” he said.    

• Parliament should be dissolved in March in that case so that a general election could be held