COLOMBO (NewsRadio); President Ranil Wickremesinghe says the opposition is also opposed to holding an election at present.
Speaking in Parliament today, President Wickremesinghe said the National Election Commission has legally not called for an election.
The Head of State said according to the communiqué of the National Election Commission, the decision on conducting the Local Authorities Election has been taken by only members without convening a meeting with the required quorum.
The President said the Election Commission had announced that a meeting was called to decide on the election and only two members, the Chairman and another member were present.
President Wickremesinghe noted that according to the communiqué of the Election Commission, the election date was decided in the presence of two members and then the consent for that was obtained from the remaining three members.
The President said since three members had not decided on the election date, the declaration of the purported election date is illegitimate.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe said the election should be declared first legitimately.
The Head of State added even if an election is declared, Treasury does not have funds for an election at this juncture when considering the funds needed to pay the salaries of state employees, pension and other payments and allocations for essential programmes.
President Wickremesinghe stressed that he is working according to the constitution and not intending on delaying any election.
The President said his priority is strengthening the country’s economy and providing relief to the 22 million Sri Lankans.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe also noted that he will ensure all elections in the country are conducted in a timely manner.
