Chief Opposition Whip Anura Kumara Dissanayake accused the Government of postponing the elections till the day the SLFP finds a solution for its internal problem is equal to gambling with the people’s right to vote.
He further pointed out that the new voting system must be protected from being influenced by political ideologies.
If the government brings in new voting system without removing those political ideologies there would be more bloodshed in the country. The government has no option but to hold the local government elections under the old system until a new system is established with the consent of all parties. He suggested that a clause can be added to the new electoral Act and hold the elections for once under the old system.
UPFA MP Dullas Alahapperuma said that he, on the behalf of the Joint Opposition, agreed with the Chief Opposition Whip’s request, while the UNP MP pledged support for the request on behalf of the UNP.
In response , Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella said in Parliament Saturday, that Local Government elections could be held under the old Proportional Representation (PR)system, if all political parties were in agreement, He added that it would be the last time that the PR system would be followed.
