The government has not yet allocated funds to print ballots for the 9 March vote, arguing the country cannot afford it. While a ruling by the Supreme Court is expected tomorrow, tensions rise in the country. The opposition accuses Wickremesinghe of trying to prevent the collapse of Rajapaksa's party, which backs him in parliament.
Colombo (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo is against postponing local elections set for 9 March; such a possibility could spark massive unrest across the country.
The government has not yet allocated funding to print the ballots –the Supreme Court is expected to rule in the matter tomorrow.
The opposition is accusing President Ranil Wickremesinghe of trying to prevent the election so that the unpopularity of his administration does not become so flagrant.
Mr Wickremesinghe came to power last July after street protests ousted his predecessor, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, amid the country’s worsening economic crisis.
In Sri Lanka’s parliament, the president has the backing of the Sri Lanka People's Front (Śrī Laṃkā Podujana Peramuna, SLPP). Still led by Mahinda Rajapaksa, a brother of the ousted president, the Front is expected to suffer a major defeat if elections were held as scheduled.
“The postponement of the polls will result in Sri Lanka losing the confidence it has earned from the international community,” Card Ranjith warns.
“We appeal to the authorities not to push the country towards a greater crisis at a time when it is hit by bankruptcy and assistance of World Bank, IMF, and the foreign nations.”
The cardinal goes on to remind the president it is his duty “to see that local elections are held. If the president and public servants fail in this exercise, it would be a violation of the constitution.
In fact, “It is the duty of all political parties, civil organisations, and religious leaders to come forward for the sake of the nation," he added.
All the while, tensions over the elections are running high in Colombo. The Election Commission has petitioned the Supreme Court after the government failed to pay for election-related expenses, such as printing ballot papers, pay for petrol, and deploy police protection at polling stations.
“I had given an undertaking to the Supreme Court recently that the poll will be held on time,” Election Commission Chief Nimal Punchihewa told AFP. “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.”
As a result of the lack of funding, the postal vote, which was due to take place this week, has already been postponed to a later date.
Local elections come with a price tag of 10 billion rupees (US$ 27.5 million); it is unclear whether the government has the money to pay for them if the court rules that the vote must go ahead.
Meanwhile, parliament was adjourned yesterday after opposition MPs held up placards protesting at what they say was an attempt by the government to cling to power and avoid the voters’ verdict.