By: Isuru Parakrama
Colombo (LNW): Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) condemned the private member’s bill presented by Ruling Party MP Jayantha Ketagoda to re-convene the dissolved Local Government Authorities without holding elections, calling the move would be a heavy blow to the people’s sovereignty enshrined in the Constitution.
In a statement, the TISL pointed out that any attempt to pass such amendment must be roundly defeated, and called on all citizens to stand up for their voting rights, by opposing this move.
Full Statement:
“Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) condemns the anti-democratic private member’s bills presented to the Parliament of Sri Lanka by SLPP MP Jayantha Ketagoda to re-convene the dissolved Local Government Authorities (LGAs) without holding elections. TISL believes that this move would be a heavy blow to the people’s sovereignty enshrined in the Constitution.
Local Government Members are the grass-roots level public representatives. Regular elections are essential for the people’s mandate to be reflected in the LGAs. In addition, this Amendment sets a bad precedent as it creates a risk of abusing the legal framework to prevent holding timely elections, including national elections. This can lead to the people losing faith in the entire democratic system in the country, with negative implications to the rule of law as well.
Therefore, TISL emphasizes that any attempt to pass this Amendment must be roundly defeated. TISL calls on all citizens to stand up for their voting rights, by opposing this move.”
TISL condemns the anti-democratic private member’s bills presented to #ParliamentLK by SLPP MP Jayantha Ketagoda to re-convene the dissolved #LGAs without holding #elections. This move would be a heavy blow to the people’s sovereignty.
— Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) (@tisrilanka) July 6, 2023
Read more: https://t.co/meZLoeELa7 #SriLanka pic.twitter.com/c5bOhYQRL8
