The Writ petition filed by a retired Army Colonel seeking a Supreme Court order postponing the Local Government elections has been re-fixed for hearing on May 11.

The petition was taken up in the Supreme Court today.

The case was re-fixed giving a time period for the Election Commission and other stakeholders to study the affidavit submitted by the Treasury Secretary, and make their submissions.

The petition was called before the three member bench of judges, justice S Thurairaja, Justice A.H.M,D Nawaz and justice Shiran Gunaratne.

Appearing on behalf of the Election Commission, President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris though all efforts were being made to conduct the elections, under the current situation it was difficult to keep to that assurance.

He said that the failure of the Treasury to release funds in time and the inability of the Government Printer to print the polling  cards time were among the reasons.

Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle, appearing before the Treasury Secretary told courts that due to the current economic crisis , the drop of revenue and the circulars issued by the Finance Ministry has made it difficult to release the funds.

Justice Nawaz questioned the Additional Solicitor General as to when the funds could be made available. Mr Pulle said he would have to consult his client to respond to the question.

Mr Peiris said that the government is bound assist the conduct of the election and interruption was not acceptable. He said the decision of conducting the poll should not depend on the Cabinet or the Treasury.

Justice Thurairaja noted that all elections should be held in time, but the subject of Finance does not come under the Judiciary and therefore they have a little scope of getting involved.