Transparency International Sri Lanka has condemned the anti-democratic private member’s bill presented to Parliament by Podujana Peramuna Member of Parliament Jayantha Katagoda. Permission has been requested for the recall of local government bodies which were dissolved without holding an election by that bill.Sri Lanka Latest News
Transparency International Sri Lanka says in a statement that it believes that the private members’ proposals pose a serious threat to the sovereignty of the people secured by the Constitution.
“Local government councilors are people’s representatives at the grassroots level. Therefore, it is necessary to hold elections at the appointed time in order to accurately reflect the people’s mandate in the local government bodies. Moreover, these amendments set a bad precedent. This may create a risk of misusing the legal framework and even national elections are not held on time. This causes the people to lose faith in the country’s democratic system and has negative effects on the rule of law.
Therefore, any attempt to pass these amendments should be defeated outright. Transparency International Sri Lanka urges all citizens to come forward for your right to vote and oppose these amendments.
