By Shamindra Ferdinando

The SLPP rebel group, Nidahasa Jathika Sabhawa, yesterday (09), questioned the legality of President Ranil Wickremesinghe twice meeting members of the Election Commission (EC) to discuss the scheduled Local Government polls.

Prof. G. L. Peiris said President Wickremesinghe shouldn’t have summoned them as he was a leader of a political party contesting the election.

President Wickremesinghe met EC members late last year and on January 05 this year.

The former Foreign Minister raised this issue while addressing the media at Nawala, close on the heels of President Wickremesinghe’s declaration that the EC was sharply divided over the conduct of the poll amidst continuing economic instability.

Displaying a gazette notification, dated Dec 29, 2022, issued by the EC, pertaining to the nominations for the LG polls, Prof. Peiris pointed out that contrary to claims by the President and various other government spokesmen the EC was unanimous in its decision.

A senior spokesperson for the EC confirmed the meetings. According to him, all five members namely Nimal Punchihewa (Chairman), M.M. Mohamed, S,B. Divaratne, K.P.P. Pathirana and Mrs. P.S.N. Charles attended hitherto not reported first meeting. However, Pathirana had not been present at the second meeting as he was receiving medical treatment. Director General, EC Saman Sri Ratnayake has attended both meetings.

Alleging that the EC was under tremendous government pressure, Prof. Peiris said that it could be dealt with in terms of the Penal Code.

Referring to Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam, PC’s role in the whole affair, the former top law academic stressed that the government Chief Legal Officer shouldn’t get involved at all. Prof. Peiris questioned the AG’s participation in a meeting chaired by President Wickremesinghe on January 05.

The former Law Professor referred to two Supreme Court rulings given by one-time Chief Justice Priyasath Dep and the late justice Mark Fernando to underscore that scheduled LG polls couldn’t be put off.

In terms of the Constitution, new LG bodies have to be established by March 20, 2023.

Alleging that the government has been engaged in a propaganda campaign to justify planned postponement of LG polls on the basis of unavailability of funds, the ex-Minister said that the postponement of elections was not the prerogative of the President, Cabinet-of-Ministers or the Finance Ministry.

Acknowledging the continuing economic hardships experienced by the population, Prof. Peiris challenged the government to remove all 39 State Ministers to save much needed funds.

Prof. Peiris said that the Supreme Court would take up on January 18 two petitions filed by the Opposition seeking the apex court’s intervention. Samagi Jana Balavegaya, two SLPP rebel groups, the SLPP and TNA have moved the Supreme Court.

Attorney-at-Law Punchihewa has declared that nominations would be accepted from January 18 to 21.

Prof. Peiris pointed out that the UNP was determined to put off polls as it realized the certain defeat it would suffer. In spite of the SLPP being the largest political grouping in parliament even after three groups of its MPs declared intention to operate independently, it was in total disarray, the former minister said.

Therefore, the Wickremasinghe-Rajapaksa government’s ongoing efforts to put off the election was understandable, he pointed out.