Contradicting recent remarks by JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday maintained that there was no shortage of funds to conduct the long-delayed Provincial Council (PC) elections, insisting that the main obstacle remained unresolved legal issues.
Addressing the weekly Cabinet decisions media briefing, Jayatissa said the Government was prepared to hold the PC polls at any time once Parliament addressed the existing legal barriers.
Responding to a question regarding Silva’s recent statement that funds allocated for the PC elections had been diverted towards Cyclone Ditwah relief efforts, Jayatissa rejected suggestions of a financial constraint.
“There is no issue regarding funds. Perhaps Tilvin Silva meant something else,” he said.
He further noted that even if a funding requirement arose, the Government could secure the necessary allocations through a supplementary estimate.
“The Government’s target is to hold the PC elections as soon as possible. The NPP Government conducted three elections within eight months. There is no problem with funds. If necessary, funds can be approved through a supplementary estimate. The issue is the legal barriers. If Parliament resolves those legal barriers, we can hold the polls,” Jayatissa said.
His remarks come days after Silva stated in Jaffna that the Government had been unable to proceed with the PC elections this year due to financial and legal constraints, claiming that budgetary allocations initially set aside for the polls had to be redirected towards disaster relief following the impact of Cyclone Ditwah.
