STAFF REPORTER
COLOMBO ; Responding to US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland’s statement in Colombo about the importance of holding the March LG elections, Former Western Province Governor Azath Salley said here on Friday, Feb.3 that it has no meaning and baseless statement at a ta time crucial economic crisis which has affected the country
Speaking to Colombo Times, Salley said the proposed elections are going to cost the country at least 8 billion Rupees. “ Is this the time to spend such a colossal amount for the polls for the local elections whose composition of the councils have to be cut down by 50 percent.
While speaking to the press, Under Secretary Nuland said that the people of Sri Lanka must be allowed to have a voice in their future.
“It is vital time for Sri Lanka to strengthen its democracy, its governance, and its reconciliation. This includes proceeding with local elections this March, giving people across the country a voice in their future,” she said on Wednesday Feb 1.
She also noted that it is paramount to initiate the national dialogue on reconciliation and it needs to show results for all Sri Lankans whilst also proceeding with the reforms of the Prevention of Terrorism Act so that it meets international standards.
Salley said that the Rajapaksa family ruined the economy of the country and now under the able leadership of President Ranil Wickremesinghe people are able to have two proper meals a day and the country is returning to normalcy reducing some of its major problems.
Asked about the 200 million expenses for the independence day celebrations, the former governor said that it is only a fraction of the eight billion rupees and it has to be spent to project a better image of the country to the outer world and to strengthen relations with foreign countries.
A Gazette notification has already been issued announcing that the Local Government election will be held on the 9th of March from 9 am to 4 pm.
The District Returning Officers issued this extraordinary gazette notification in accordance with of sub-section 38/1/c of the Local Government Elections Ordinance.
Returning Officers from 24 electoral districts have issued 24 gazettes relating to the local government election.
