SJB calls polls Chief to hold early local elections

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today called the Chairman of the Elections Commission to execute powers vested with him and call for Local Government elections.
General Secretary of the SJB Ranjith Madduma Bandara with few of the MPs today handed over a letter to the Elections Commission call for the conduct of the poll.
Under the Provisions of the Local Government Elections Act, the Elections Commission is entitled to call for a Local government election after September 20. Accordingly the SJB wants him to execute his powers.
Mr Madduma Bandara told journalists that since the government has now lost the mandate of the people they could test the thinking of the people by going for a poll.
He said that the excuse that sufficient funds were not available was not acceptable as political stability is required for the recover of the economy.
He said President Ranil Wickremesinghe has suggested that he would call for a referendum in six months, and that would mean that the same funds could be made use to conduct the local government poll. 

The SJB also handed over a letter to Local Government Additional Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa

Meanwhile the Chairman of the Election Commission,  Nimal Punchihewa, said the Commission has commenced  preliminary work to hold the local government elections before March 20th next year.
He said that the date of the local government election will be decided after the certification of the 2022 voter list by October 31st.
The local government elections have being long overdue. This is after the minister in charge has taken steps to extend the term of office of the local government bodies consisting of  Pradeshiya Sabhas, Urban councils and Municipal councils by one year and postpone the elections until March next year.