TUs call for caution setting date for general elections

Sri lanka's leading trade  unions warned the Election Commission  (EC) that it should not place the voting masses at risk when deciding on a date to hold the general elections,  in view of the novel corona virus pandemic in the country.

In a letter sent by email to Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya,   21 trade unions have cautioned that any dates set for early elections  will compromise the public's health, as the country has not yet overcome  the disease, totally. It pointed out that the  country's health services have not given the green light to allow people mingle freely as before.

As such it said that the government should not place around 200,000 public servants' health, who would involve in election duties, at risk.

Also it said that though it is doubtful that international observers  will participate in the monitoring process, the well being of both international and local monitoring bodies,  should be borne in mind, as they may be exposed to the virus.

Lastly, it called on the government to allow overseas residents, who came in drones to vote for the last Presidential Election, to vote for the up coming general election too.

The present circumstances they said will not permit them to travel due to flight restrictions in many countries because of the Covid 19 threat.
The unions that came together include the Ceylon Teachers Union, the Railway Unions,  the Postal Unions and the Health Services Union. (Chrishanthi Christopher )