• Latest
  • Trending

Lankan PM asks Election Commission to fulfill its legal obligation to fix date for parliamentary polls

April 18, 2020
Indian higher education scholarships for Lankan estate workers

Indian higher education scholarships for Lankan estate workers

March 31, 2023
Donald Trump

Donald Trump criminally charged in New York, a first for a US ex-president

March 31, 2023
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

UAE leader names his son as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi

March 30, 2023
New Disney cruise ship to set sail from Singapore from 2025

New Disney cruise ship to set sail from Singapore from 2025

March 30, 2023
US dollar notes

China, Brazil strike deal to ditch dollar for trade

March 30, 2023
Lankan High Commissioner Moragoda meets with the President of ISKCON Mumbai Centre

Lankan High Commissioner Moragoda meets with the President of ISKCON Mumbai Centre

March 30, 2023
Symposium on maritime security in the Bay of Bengal held in Colombo

Symposium on maritime security in the Bay of Bengal held in Colombo

March 30, 2023
bird flu

Chile detects first case of bird flu in a human

March 30, 2023
Star Wars star Mark Hamill

Star Wars star Mark Hamill lends voice to air raid alert app to warn Ukrainians of Russian strikes

March 30, 2023
Lankan envoy meets Governor of the Reserve Bank of India to discuss bilateral cooperation

Lankan envoy meets Governor of the Reserve Bank of India to discuss bilateral cooperation

March 30, 2023
Women’s collective seeks action against MP who allegedly assaulted Puttalam Quazi

Women’s collective seeks action against MP who allegedly assaulted Puttalam Quazi

March 29, 2023
Cryptocurrency

Central Bank reiterates significant risks associated with using and investing in cryptocurrency

March 29, 2023
  • About Us
  • Advertisements
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
Friday, March 31, 2023
No Result
View All Result
NewsIn.Asia
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • All
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
    Indian higher education scholarships for Lankan estate workers

    Indian higher education scholarships for Lankan estate workers

    US dollar notes

    China, Brazil strike deal to ditch dollar for trade

    Lankan High Commissioner Moragoda meets with the President of ISKCON Mumbai Centre

    Lankan High Commissioner Moragoda meets with the President of ISKCON Mumbai Centre

    Symposium on maritime security in the Bay of Bengal held in Colombo

    Symposium on maritime security in the Bay of Bengal held in Colombo

    Lankan envoy meets Governor of the Reserve Bank of India to discuss bilateral cooperation

    Lankan envoy meets Governor of the Reserve Bank of India to discuss bilateral cooperation

    Women’s collective seeks action against MP who allegedly assaulted Puttalam Quazi

    Women’s collective seeks action against MP who allegedly assaulted Puttalam Quazi

    Cryptocurrency

    Central Bank reiterates significant risks associated with using and investing in cryptocurrency

    Sri Lankan workers

    New employment scheme with Saudi Arabia sparks hope among Sri Lankan workers

    Bus fares to be decreased

    Bus fares to be reduced

  • World
    • All
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    Donald Trump

    Donald Trump criminally charged in New York, a first for a US ex-president

    Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

    UAE leader names his son as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi

    New Disney cruise ship to set sail from Singapore from 2025

    New Disney cruise ship to set sail from Singapore from 2025

    US dollar notes

    China, Brazil strike deal to ditch dollar for trade

    bird flu

    Chile detects first case of bird flu in a human

    Star Wars star Mark Hamill

    Star Wars star Mark Hamill lends voice to air raid alert app to warn Ukrainians of Russian strikes

    moon samples

    New source of water found in moon samples from China mission

    Population

    World ‘population bomb’ may never go off as feared – new study

    India - Sri Lanka

    Travel to India in 50$?

  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Books
    • Gaming
    • Movie
    • Music
    • Series
    The gran who couldn’t: Indu Balachandran’s latest book is for readers of all ages

    The gran who couldn’t: Indu Balachandran’s latest book is for readers of all ages

    The Weeknd

    The Weeknd is the world’s most popular artist, Guinness World Records says

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Watch: Oscar winning song Naatu Naatu

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Indian song ‘Naatu Naatu’ from ‘RRR’ wins Oscar award for best song

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Naatu Naatu: The RRR song primed for Oscar history

    Keanu Reeves

    11 of the best films to watch in March

    Netflix. Image credits - Souvik Banerjee @rswebsols / Unsplash

    Netflix cuts prices for subscribers in more than 30 countries

    Backstreet Boys

    Backstreet Boys to perform in India after 13 years

    Roald Dahl books

    Roald Dahl books rewritten to remove language deemed offensive

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Science
    • Travel
    moon samples

    New source of water found in moon samples from China mission

    Happy. Image credits - Lesly Juarez / Unsplash

    The world’s happiest countries for 2023

    Nepal. Image credits - Toomas Tartes / Unsplash

    Nepal bans solo trekkers throughout the country

    Air quality drops to ‘unhealthy’ level in Colombo

    Air quality drops to ‘unhealthy’ level in Colombo

    Scientists discover enzyme that turns air into electricity, providing a new clean source of energy

    Scientists discover enzyme that turns air into electricity, providing a new clean source of energy

    Toblerone chocolates

    Toblerone chocolates to lose “Swissness” criteria

    Significant increase of overweight and obese individuals in Sri Lanka

    Significant increase of overweight and obese individuals in Sri Lanka

    Vistara airlines to resume operations to Sri Lanka

    Vistara airlines to resume operations to Sri Lanka

    International airlines suspend some US flights over 5G uncertainty

    Saying no to inflight meals can help our planet

    Sri Lanka

    Where are 2023s tourists to Sri Lanka coming from?

    Trending Tags

    • Golden Globes
    • Mr. Robot
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Climate Change
    • Flat Earth
  • Tech
    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    WhatsApp for iOS gets text detection feature: What is it and how to use

    Nokia

    Nokia changes iconic logo to signal strategy shift

    Selena Gomez and Kylie Jenner

    Selena Gomez dethrones Kylie Jenner on Instagram

    Facebook. Image credits - Solen Feyissa @solenfeyissa

    Facebook & Instagram to test monthly subscription service priced at $11.99

    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    New features introduced in Whatsapp’s latest update

    Microsoft has announced a new version of Bing

    Microsoft unveils new Bing with ChatGPT powers

    Trending Tags

    • Sillicon Valley
    • Climate Change
    • Election Results
    • Flat Earth
    • Golden Globes
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Mr. Robot
  • Coronavirus
  • Videos
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • All
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
    Indian higher education scholarships for Lankan estate workers

    Indian higher education scholarships for Lankan estate workers

    US dollar notes

    China, Brazil strike deal to ditch dollar for trade

    Lankan High Commissioner Moragoda meets with the President of ISKCON Mumbai Centre

    Lankan High Commissioner Moragoda meets with the President of ISKCON Mumbai Centre

    Symposium on maritime security in the Bay of Bengal held in Colombo

    Symposium on maritime security in the Bay of Bengal held in Colombo

    Lankan envoy meets Governor of the Reserve Bank of India to discuss bilateral cooperation

    Lankan envoy meets Governor of the Reserve Bank of India to discuss bilateral cooperation

    Women’s collective seeks action against MP who allegedly assaulted Puttalam Quazi

    Women’s collective seeks action against MP who allegedly assaulted Puttalam Quazi

    Cryptocurrency

    Central Bank reiterates significant risks associated with using and investing in cryptocurrency

    Sri Lankan workers

    New employment scheme with Saudi Arabia sparks hope among Sri Lankan workers

    Bus fares to be decreased

    Bus fares to be reduced

  • World
    • All
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    Donald Trump

    Donald Trump criminally charged in New York, a first for a US ex-president

    Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

    UAE leader names his son as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi

    New Disney cruise ship to set sail from Singapore from 2025

    New Disney cruise ship to set sail from Singapore from 2025

    US dollar notes

    China, Brazil strike deal to ditch dollar for trade

    bird flu

    Chile detects first case of bird flu in a human

    Star Wars star Mark Hamill

    Star Wars star Mark Hamill lends voice to air raid alert app to warn Ukrainians of Russian strikes

    moon samples

    New source of water found in moon samples from China mission

    Population

    World ‘population bomb’ may never go off as feared – new study

    India - Sri Lanka

    Travel to India in 50$?

  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Books
    • Gaming
    • Movie
    • Music
    • Series
    The gran who couldn’t: Indu Balachandran’s latest book is for readers of all ages

    The gran who couldn’t: Indu Balachandran’s latest book is for readers of all ages

    The Weeknd

    The Weeknd is the world’s most popular artist, Guinness World Records says

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Watch: Oscar winning song Naatu Naatu

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Indian song ‘Naatu Naatu’ from ‘RRR’ wins Oscar award for best song

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Naatu Naatu: The RRR song primed for Oscar history

    Keanu Reeves

    11 of the best films to watch in March

    Netflix. Image credits - Souvik Banerjee @rswebsols / Unsplash

    Netflix cuts prices for subscribers in more than 30 countries

    Backstreet Boys

    Backstreet Boys to perform in India after 13 years

    Roald Dahl books

    Roald Dahl books rewritten to remove language deemed offensive

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Science
    • Travel
    moon samples

    New source of water found in moon samples from China mission

    Happy. Image credits - Lesly Juarez / Unsplash

    The world’s happiest countries for 2023

    Nepal. Image credits - Toomas Tartes / Unsplash

    Nepal bans solo trekkers throughout the country

    Air quality drops to ‘unhealthy’ level in Colombo

    Air quality drops to ‘unhealthy’ level in Colombo

    Scientists discover enzyme that turns air into electricity, providing a new clean source of energy

    Scientists discover enzyme that turns air into electricity, providing a new clean source of energy

    Toblerone chocolates

    Toblerone chocolates to lose “Swissness” criteria

    Significant increase of overweight and obese individuals in Sri Lanka

    Significant increase of overweight and obese individuals in Sri Lanka

    Vistara airlines to resume operations to Sri Lanka

    Vistara airlines to resume operations to Sri Lanka

    International airlines suspend some US flights over 5G uncertainty

    Saying no to inflight meals can help our planet

    Sri Lanka

    Where are 2023s tourists to Sri Lanka coming from?

    Trending Tags

    • Golden Globes
    • Mr. Robot
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Climate Change
    • Flat Earth
  • Tech
    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    WhatsApp for iOS gets text detection feature: What is it and how to use

    Nokia

    Nokia changes iconic logo to signal strategy shift

    Selena Gomez and Kylie Jenner

    Selena Gomez dethrones Kylie Jenner on Instagram

    Facebook. Image credits - Solen Feyissa @solenfeyissa

    Facebook & Instagram to test monthly subscription service priced at $11.99

    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    New features introduced in Whatsapp’s latest update

    Microsoft has announced a new version of Bing

    Microsoft unveils new Bing with ChatGPT powers

    Trending Tags

    • Sillicon Valley
    • Climate Change
    • Election Results
    • Flat Earth
    • Golden Globes
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Mr. Robot
  • Coronavirus
  • Videos
NewsIn.Asia
No Result
View All Result
Home Coronavirus

Lankan PM asks Election Commission to fulfill its legal obligation to fix date for parliamentary polls

The virus threat has been contained he said, indicating that the polls can be held in end May

Editor by Editor
April 18, 2020
in Coronavirus, Politics, Sri Lanka, Top Story
Reading Time: 4 mins read
10 0
A A
Share on WhatsApp

Colombo, April 18 (newsin.asia): The Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa, issued a statement on Saturday, asking the Election Commission (EC) to fix a fresh date for the postponed parliamentary elections as mandated by Section 24(3) of the Parliamentary Elections Act No: 1 of 1981.

The Prime Minister pointed out that when the Election Commission postponed the polls (which were to be held on April 25), citing the COVID-19 threat, it did not announce another date as it should have under the law cited above.

The Prime Minister said in the statement that the threat from COVID-19 has been contained and only a few districts are now considered “high risk” thereby indicating that it is possible to hold the elections early.

ADVERTISEMENT

But the government, the President or the Prime Minister cannot fix a fresh date for the elections. Only the Election Commission can do that. Hence the request to the Election Commission to fix a new date.

The Prime Minister has clearly rejected the opposition’s demand that the Presidential gazette of March 2 dissolving parliament and calling for elections to be held on April 25, be cancelled. It is clear that the government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa desires that the parliamentary elections be held at the end of May to enable the newly elected parliament to meet before June 2 as constitutionally mandated.

Sequence of Events

Recalling the events which preceded the current impasse, the Prime Minister said: “The On 2 March the President dissolved Parliament and fixed 25 April for the poll and 14 May for the first meeting of the new Parliament. Ten days later, when the first Coronavirus patient was found, the President did not have the power to postpone the poll. Under Section 24(3) of the Parliamentary Elections Act No: 1 of 1981, when the poll cannot be held on the day fixed by the President, the Elections Commission is mandatorily required to fix another day for the poll. They have no power to postpone the poll without fixing another date.”

He further said:  “Such mandatory legal requirements cannot be ignored on the basis of speculation as to what may or may not happen weeks and months into the future. The Elections Commission should first fulfill its duties under Section 24(3) and thereafter take up for discussion any outstanding issues.”

Opposition Blamed

Blaming the opposition for the moves to get the elections postponed if not called off altogether, the Prime Minister said: “ The opposition leader (Sajith Premadasa) tried to sabotage the anti-coronavirus campaign at the very outset by personally encouraging protests against the quarantine process. Then they tried to undermine government services including the health service with the argument that the President had no power to allocate funds for government services after the dissolution of Parliament. Now they say that the Gazette dissolving Parliament should be rescinded as the new parliament has to meet before the 2nd of June, and the parliamentary election cannot be held before that.”

The Prime Minister maintained that the coronavirus pandemic has been contained in Sri Lanka through the humongous efforts of the government led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, thus indicating that the parliamentary polls can be held soon.

“Things have to come back to normal sooner or later. In eleven of the 25 administrative districts, there have been no coronavirus patients at all. In another seven districts, there have been only one or two patients, and five to seven patients in two more districts. Only five districts have a high incidence of coronavirus patients,” he pointed out.

But the task of fighting the virus with a weak inherited economy was hard, Mahinda said.

“The Coronavirus pandemic hit countries like the USA, India and Bangladesh in a situation where their economies had been experiencing strong growth for years. In contrast, Sri Lanka has had to face this crisis in a state of economic ruin. During the five years of yahapalana misrule from 2015 to 2019, our debt burden increased by 71%, the Rupee lost one third of its value and economic growth had plummeted to 2.7%. Furthermore, though we had won the Presidency in November 2019 and formed a government, we did not have a majority in Parliament and were not able to get a vote on account passed even to pay off the previous government’s debts to suppliers of fertilizer and medicine.”

“The financial powers vested in the President under Article 150(3) of the Constitution is the only saving grace in this situation. It was with all these debilitating disadvantages that we had to face the Coronavirus pandemic.”

“After the first Coronavirus patient was discovered on 11 March, we introduced a raft of measures to control the disease including early detection, isolation and treatment of patients, quarantine for those exposed to risk, the tracing of patients’ contacts and social distancing measures. An operation like this has not been seen in our lifetimes. Curfews lasting for weeks on end had to be imposed to prevent the spread of the disease.”

“The President’s leadership in this regard has to be commended. Our government doctors, nurses, and health service workers have come to the attention of the entire world. The skill and dedication of the intelligence services in tracing the contacts of patients, the efficiency of the armed forces in implementing quarantine and lockdown measures has prevented the spread of the disease. The Police, and government officials at all levels have all contributed to the success of the anti-Coronavirus campaign. Today, our country is one of the safest places to be in the whole world.”

Habit of Postponing Elections

The opposition appears to have a penchant for postponing elections, Mahinda said.

“The Yahapalana government delayed local government elections by nearly three years. Their attempt to postpone that election indefinitely by moving courts failed only because the Elections Commission declared they would hold elections to the institutions that were not involved in litigation. With just days to go for the dissolution of the provincial councils in 2017, the yahapalana government changed the provincial councils elections system to prevent elections from taking place. When the Attorney General held that a two thirds majority in Parliament was required to pass that amendment, they bartered policy for votes in the corridors of Parliament to obtain the required majority.”

“As a result of that unprincipled political horse trading, the local government elections law which was passed on 25 August 2017 has 40% proportional representation whereas the Provincial Councils elections law passed four weeks later has 50% proportional representation! “

“Sri Lanka is also the only democratic country in the world where political parties petitioned the Supreme Court to get the declaration of a parliamentary election annulled. The present scramble to have the parliamentary elections put off is a continuation of that deplorable past.”

 

Related Posts

Indian higher education scholarships for Lankan estate workers
Diplomacy

Indian higher education scholarships for Lankan estate workers

March 31, 2023
Lankan High Commissioner Moragoda meets with the President of ISKCON Mumbai Centre
India

Lankan High Commissioner Moragoda meets with the President of ISKCON Mumbai Centre

March 30, 2023
Symposium on maritime security in the Bay of Bengal held in Colombo
Security

Symposium on maritime security in the Bay of Bengal held in Colombo

March 30, 2023
Lankan envoy meets Governor of the Reserve Bank of India to discuss bilateral cooperation
Development news

Lankan envoy meets Governor of the Reserve Bank of India to discuss bilateral cooperation

March 30, 2023
Women’s collective seeks action against MP who allegedly assaulted Puttalam Quazi
Politics

Women’s collective seeks action against MP who allegedly assaulted Puttalam Quazi

March 29, 2023
Cryptocurrency
Around South Asia

Central Bank reiterates significant risks associated with using and investing in cryptocurrency

March 29, 2023
  • Electricity

    Power cut schedule for today in Sri Lanka: Uninterrupted power supply

    60159 shares
    Share 24086 Tweet 15031
  • Registration open for National Fuel Pass

    6636 shares
    Share 2692 Tweet 1644
  • Foreign Currency Official Exchange Rates from Central Bank of Sri Lanka

    1799 shares
    Share 726 Tweet 447
  • WATCH : Yohani’s first live performance in India

    790 shares
    Share 329 Tweet 192
  • Power interruption schedule released: Check your area power cut time

    742 shares
    Share 320 Tweet 176
  • About Us
  • Advertisements
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

© 2022 All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
  • Around The World
  • Breaking News
  • Business
    • Exchange
  • Climate Change
  • Governance
    • Crime
    • Diplomacy
    • Defense
    • Human Rights
    • Politics
    • Strategic Affairs
  • Lifestyle
    • Books
    • Entertainment
      • Arts
      • Cinema
      • Gaming
      • Music
      • Movie
      • Series
      • TV
    • Health
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Travel
  • Culture
    • Ethnicity
    • Gender
  • Development news
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Coronavirus
  • History
  • National
  • Offbeat
    • Media
    • Music and arts across South Asia
  • Recommended
    • Headlines
    • Highlights
    • Top Picture
    • Top Story
  • Religion
  • Science
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Cricket
      • LPL
      • IPL
    • Tennis
    • Formula 1
    • NBA
  • Tech
    • Instagram
  • United Nations
  • Weather
  • World
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United States
  • Videos

© 2022 All rights reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

eskisehir escort -

https://www.vudols.com/

- Sağlık Personeli - mersin escort - Antalya korsan taksi