Parliament active after election postponement - Akila

By Yohan Perera   

Parliament which was originally dissolved on March 2 could become active automatically with the decision of the Election Commission to postpone elections to June 20, UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam 
said yesterday.   

Mr. Kariyawasam told Daily Mirror that his party is of the view that Parliament could be reconvened as per the Constitution, given the postponement of the election once again. It was highlighted by some legal personnel earlier that the House gets re-convened if elections are not held and new Parliament is not convened by 
June 2, 2020.   

“We are not against holding the election but it should be held only after the country is free from the COVID-19 epidemic. Government should carry out testing in all parts of the country. Only 13 tests have been carried out in Kurunegala up to date,” he said.   

“We would like to question as to whether the government actually sought the advise of health experts before deciding to go ahead with the election,” he said, while highlighting that Chairman of the Election Commission had informed them that some of the workers usually involved in election related work are refusing to carry out their duties owing to the COVID-19 threat.   

Also he said a question arises as to how the candidates could get on with the campaign, given the current situation.

We would like to question as to whether the government actually sought the advise of health experts before deciding to go ahead with the election