A writ lodged with the Supreme Court yesterday (02) by Retd Col. W.M.R. Wijesundara challenging the proposed holding of the Local Government Election claims that the petitioner was informed by the Election Commission that the holding of such an election can only be funded on the basis of ‘revenue or debt obtainment.’

The petition lodged in compliance with Section 140 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka cites the Chairman and the four Members of the Election Commission, the Prime Minister, the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, the Cabinet Secretary and the Attorney General as respondents.

The petitioner argues that there is no benefit to the public, nor the country, by the holding of a Local Government Election in these times, adding that he, upon questioning the Commission under the Right-to-Information Act (RTI) two weeks ago whether funds are available to be allocated for the holding of an election, was informed in writing that Rs. 10 billion, in general, will be required to hold one and that the affair would only be possible in any event was it funded on the basis of what he described as ‘revenue generation or debt obtainment’.

Retd. Col. Wijesundara’s argument, which he backs by producing documented evidence to the Supreme Court, comes in amidst many demands by political parties to hold a Local Government Election, whilst media reports go on claiming that the Government of Sri Lanka has no money to hold one, depicting a growing grudge between democracy and economy.

The petitioner elaborates on the current income status of the country, the conditions imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the ratings under which Sri Lanka is designated by international credit rating agencies at the moment, and the government’s income and expenditure for the past three years, thereby questioning as to what would be the benefit of calling in an election to the public, or the country, when;

• An island-wide electoral reform is being considered for establishment,
• Legislation to control the finances of political campaigners and parties is being considered,
• The political representation of youth and women is decided by percentage,
• Legislation on candidate transparency is being considered and a parliamentary select committee is appointed in this regard,
• The serving 8,711 local government members are already an economic and social burden to the country, and negotiations are being held to limit them to one-thirds.

In any event was Sri Lanka compelled to resorting to money-printing amidst the inability to receive debt from both bilateral and multilateral stakeholders, the inflation will once again skyrocket, he goes on, stressing that the occurrence of many crises and social pressure lowering the living standards would be inevitable, was the era of fuel and gas shortages and long-hour power cuts triggered by recession spawned by the aforementioned election costs to return.

The petitioner, therefore, demands that a writ command be issued to the respondents including the Chairman and the four Members of the Election Commission nullifying the organisations advocating for the holding of a Local Government Election, and he also demands that the documents produced before the Court and any other document required for further review be produced and reviewed. The petitioner also demands that a writ command be issued barring further changes in the hearing under time-appropriate interim injunctions until the conclusion of the trial, and barring the impact of the Election Commission’s decision to hold the Local Government Polls.

MIAP

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) has revised the prices of two types of fuel effective from midnight yesterday (02).

Accordingly, the price of white diesel has been slashed by Rs. 15 and the price of kerosene, Rs. 10.

MIAP

• President invites all government employees during the commencement of duties for the new year.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that no one can shirk their responsibilities for the country in the year 2023, which is a crucial year for the Sri Lankan economy, and invited all public servants to dedicate themselves towards making Sri Lanka a prosperous nation in the New Year.

He extended this invitation to the Presidential Secretariat staff during the oath-taking ceremony for the New Year 2023 before commencing their duties this morning (02).

President Wickremesinghe hoisted the National Flag marking the commencement of duties in the New Year, and all staff members of the

Presidential Secretariat took the public service pledge together.

Thereafter, the President joined the staff members for a tea party.

The President also extended his best wishes to the staff for the New Year.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe further said, “I wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year.

Five and a half months ago, we took over a historic task at this office. During those five and a half months, we took steps to establish normalcy in the country at a time when the government had collapsed and the economy had also collapsed. However, not all our economic problems are over yet. Nevertheless, today we have the ability to provide fuel, gas, foodstuff and fertilizer as required.

I must first extend my gratitude to all those who assisted us during these five and a half months. However, our task is not over yet. The most crucial year is 2023. We have to move forward by implementing the debt-restructuring program and freeing our country from the debt burden.

Moreover, we have to build an economy that can compete with the new world. The opinion of the majority is that there is a need for a change in the political system of this country. We have to fulfil both these things.

We also need to come up with a new method that can solve the problems of today’s political system. We need greater unity among us than last year.

We look at this government as a sort of mechanism. This is not divided into several programs by ministries. All work as sub-parts of the same mechanism. Therefore, there can be no competition or tug of war between anyone and no one can put a limit to their responsibilities.

All of you should be bound to implement the basic policies of the country. The core of the program is the President’s Office, as well as the Cabinet Office and the Prime Minister’s Office. It is from these institutions that these activities will be carried out.

Each person’s duties cannot be limited to 08 hours a day and 05 days a week. Let’s all work with commitment. By the end of 2023, I hope to take this country forward with the support of all of you and restore normalcy.”

Member of Parliament Vajira Abeywardena, President’s Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayake, President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake and senior officers of the Presidential Secretariat and all staff members were also present on this occasion.

PMD

1. SJB MP Dr Harsha Silva laments China and India have not agreed to restructure Sri Lanka’s debt, and the “Paris Club” has also not reached an agreement: says no sight of IMF package: warns Govt has no program with creditors: expresses concern interest rates are at 36%: Silva has been a key advocate for an IMF programme, debt default, debt restructuring, higher taxes, tight monetary policy and cost-reflective utility prices.
   
2. India’s Hindustan Times reports former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has applied for restoration of his US citizenship: also reports the US government yet to consider request: no comment yet from former President.
   
3. Railway Station Masters’ Union President Sumedha Somaratne warns over 60 train journeys may have to be cancelled due vacancies created by retirement of nearly 500 individuals from the railway staff since 31st Dec’22: DGM Railways Gamini Senaviratne confirms “a significant number of trains may be cancelled”.
   
4. IMF MD Kristalina Georgieva says the “IMF is working very hard to press for urgent debt resolution for countries like Sri Lanka, engaging with traditional and non-traditional creditors including China & India before it grows into a bad surprise on the world economy”.
   
5. Former British Prime Minister David Cameron, who is on a personal visit to Sri Lanka meets President Ranil Wickremasinghe for a discussion.
   
6. Trade Minister Nalin Fernando submits proposal to Cabinet to import eggs: Cabinet directs the Minister to take steps to do so.
   
7. CPC reduces price of Auto Diesel by Rs.15 (new price Rs.405) and price of Kerosene by Rs.10 (new price Rs. 355) per litre: prices of Petrol & other fuel remain unchanged: Lanka IOC to follow CPC price reduction.
   
8. Top Govt Official says at least 30,000 state workers who retired in 2022 will not be replaced in keeping with IMF deal: Army has already decided to “vacate posts” of over 16,000 military personnel.
   
9. Public Administration Ministry Secretary Neel Hapuhinna says tough action would be taken against public officials who use mobile phones during office hours: laments some officers surf social media just after they start work for the day without caring about public services: also says the issue of a circular on using mobile phones during office hours would be considered.
   
10. Retired Colonel W M R Wijesundera files Writ Petition against the Chairman of the Election Commission and others questioning the benefit to the country or the public by holding a Local Government election at this moment: also says a sum of Rs.10 bn will have to be spent in order to hold the election.