UPFA planning to hold Uva PC polls on two days   Ranil tells Parliament 

By Saman Indrajith-September 10, 2014

UNP and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said in Parliament yesterday that the government was secretly planning to hold election to the Uva Provincial Council on two days, citing the high incidence of election violence as the reason.

"We have received information that the government is planning to capitalise on election law violations and hold elections in the Uva province over two days. This should not happen. We all should strive to hold election to the Uva Provincial Council on a single day," Wickremesinghe said.

Making a special statement, the Opposition Leader said that both government and Opposition parties should take into consideration that Sri Lanka would be hosting the 8th General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) from Sept. 18 to 21 and it would not be good for the country if election law breaches marred the upcoming provincial council polls.

"Both government and Opposition should take all precautions to prevent election law violations. We want to know from the government whether it is not strong and confident enough to hold an election on a single day."

"If you are so sure of the victory, all we ask is to provide maximum security to the Uva Province. The ICAPP assembly would result in foreigners getting a wrong picture of the country," he said.

Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said a government could not postpone or advance elections. It was the Elections Commissioner who was empowered to decide on election dates.

"The Opposition Leader should present his case to the Elections Commissioner. It seems that the Opposition is already getting prepared for an election defeat."

Opposition Leader: "We are aware that it the Elections Commissioner who should do so. But, if the election law violations continue, the Commissioner will be left with no alternative but to postpone elections. The government should take utmost care to prevent violence because postponing this election at a time the ICAPP assembly is scheduled to be held here is not good for the country. We should hold the election and see the results the following day."