Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD: Cash-strapped Sri Lanka is set to postpone local elections due in March, as per a top official, prompting opposition protests on Tuesday due to which the parliament had been forced to be adjourned.
The vote on March 9 was meant to be a significant test of support for President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who, after months of protests over a dire economic crisis, took office in July.
As per a court submission by the Election Commission, the Treasury has refused to fund the ballot papers’ printing, police protection for polling booths, or fuel needed for the exercise.
Speaking to AFP, the Election Commission chief Nimal Punchihewa said “I had given an undertaking to the Supreme Court recently that the poll will be held on time. But, I am now informing the court that we won’t be able to do it because the government is not releasing the necessary funds.”
The Sri Lankan president previously stated that polls were not possible as state revenue was not sufficient to maintain essential services, and pay salaries and pensions.
Wickremesinghe, who replaced Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has implemented tax increases and price rises in a bid to secure an International Monetary Fund bailout.
Parliament was adjourned Tuesday after opposition lawmakers carried placards to protest against what according to them was a government attempt to avoid the electorate’s scrutiny and cling to power.
Government’s plan to postpone elections a bid to suppress democracy
Opposition lawmaker Wimal Weerawansa said, “The government is using the economic crisis to suppress democracy and sabotage elections”.
Sri Lanka’s apex court is expected to make a ruling on Thursday, however, it is not clear whether the government would have the funds to proceed even if the judge orders the elections to go ahead.
An estimated $27.6 million is needed to carry out the voting process.
