SC orders immediate LG elections; cites voter rights violation

The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has ordered the Election Commission to immediately proceed with the postponed Local Government Elections.

The court also determined that the delay in holding the 2023 Local Government Elections violated voters’ fundamental rights.

In its verdict, the Supreme Court ruled that the President, in his capacity as Minister of Finance, along with the members of the Election Commission, were responsible for this violation.

The verdict was issued following the consideration of petitions filed by several groups, including the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), National Peoples’ Power (NPP), and the People’s Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL), challenging the postponement of the Local Council elections.

Originally scheduled for March 9, 2023, the Local Government elections were first postponed to April 25, 2023. However, the elections were further delayed, with the government citing a lack of funds due to the ongoing economic recovery.