National People’s Power (NPP) MP Lakmali Hemachandra has responded to recent remarks by Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) General Secretary Tilvin Silva that the Provincial Council Election may not be held this year.
Speaking during a television programme, Hemachandra stressed that funds allocated for the election had not been diverted for other purposes.
She said she believed Silva may have been expressing a view that certain expenditures incurred by the Government could make it difficult to hold the election this year, rather than suggesting that election funds had been reallocated.
Hemachandra further noted that it was more important to examine the actual situation on the ground rather than drawing conclusions solely based on political statements.
“As far as we are aware, the funds allocated for the election have not been redirected to any other purpose. If that had happened, it would certainly have been discussed in Parliament,” she said.
“I did not see his full statement and only came across short news clips. I believe he was expressing the view that due to expenses the Government had to incur, it may not be possible to hold the election. Instead of trying to draw conclusions solely from that statement, what is important is whether such a situation has actually arisen,” she added.
Her remarks come amid renewed debate over the timing of the long-delayed Provincial Council Election following Silva’s recent comments that the poll was unlikely to be held this year.
