Monday decisive day for decision on LG polls

The Election Commission is awaiting a formal response tomorrow from the Treasury over its calls to release funds for the upcoming Local Government elections.

Chairman of the Election Commission Nimal Punchihewa said he was awaiting the Treasury response and the Supreme court decision to decide whether the dates for the election should be reconsidered.

Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena met with Election Commission members and discussed the current situation over release of funds on Friday.

During Friday’s meeting, Treasury officials handed over to EC a copy of a Cabinet decision taken on February 13 titled “Managing essential Public Services in keeping with the expected Government revenue.”

 The Cabinet paper, submitted by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, noted that there would be a marginal surplus of government revenue by the end of February, but the funds will be needed for five areas which will be given priority.

These areas are purchase of paddy from farmers during the Maha season 2022/2023; expenditure related to minimizing malnutrition among children and pregnant mothers; gratuity payments; settlement of outstanding bills pertaining to the Decentralized Budget programme; and any other essential expenditure, as found necessary and approved by the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies.

Meanwhile a Writ Application field by a retired Army colonel seeking a postponement of the Local Government polls is to be taken up by the Supreme court tomorrow.