The Joint Opposition (JO) yesterday said during the discussions with Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Faiszer Musthapha on Friday (June 23), he had said that Local Government elections will probably be held by the end of September this year.
The discussion between the Minister and the JO was mainly centered on the postponement of the LG elections and the JO in a written request, urged the Minister to take immediate measures to hold the LG election as early as possible.
The JO representatives who participated in the discussion were warmly welcomed by the Minister, JO Deputy Organiser and UPFA Ratnapura District MP Ranjith de Zoysa told the Sunday Observer yesterday.
Minister Musthapha told the Sunday Observer that he briefed the JO members on the steps that have been taken to hold the LG elections and that the Bill has been placed on the Order Paper of Parliament. After the amendments are passed, the election can be held and there will be no further delays.
MP Zoysa said Minister Musthapha told the JO delegation that the proposed Local Government (Amendment) Bill will be taken up for debate on July 4.
Following the Minister request to the JO MPs to extend their support, the JO members pledged to extend its fullest support to pass the Bill in Parliament.
Within 55 days of the Bill being passed, the Chairman of the National Election Commission can take steps to call for the election.
The Minister pledged to conduct the LG elections by the end of September this year. The Minister also told the JO delegation that he has already fulfilled all the requirements to conduct the elections. Now, it is up to the Election Commissioner to announce a date for the election, he said.
The discussion was represented by JO Parliamentarians Kumara Welgama, Gamini Lokuge, Prasanna Ranathunga, Rohitha Abeygunawardana, Prasanna Ranaweera, Ranjith de Zoysa , Indika Anuruddha and officers of the Local Government Members Collective.
The JO along with several ex-local government members staged a protest in front of the Provincial Council and Local Government Ministry on Friday (June 23) urging the Minister to immediately conduct the LG election.