Party secretaries can't decide election dates: Namal Rajapaksa

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser and Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa said that it is not political party secretaries who decide the date of elections, but it is the sole responsibility of the Parliament and the Election Commission.
He made these remarks in response to a statement made in Jaffna by Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) General Secretary Tilvin Silva, who reportedly said that elections would not be held this year.
The MP made these comments while attending a public rally organised by the SLPP in Panadura yesterday (24).
He further stated: “Today there is not even a discussion about an election, nor any indication of when the next election will be held. However, a general secretary of a ruling party went to Jaffna and said there will be no elections this year. A secretary of any party cannot decide or announce election dates. The decision on whether to hold an election or not must be made by Parliament and the Election Commission. We challenge the government: if you are afraid to hold provincial council elections in the Western or Southern Provinces, at least restore the Northern Provincial Council, which has not had an election since the time of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and prove that you respect democratic rights.”
He further alleged that the current government came to power by giving unrealistic promises to the public and youth, including providing vehicles for Rs. 1.2 million, jobs for graduates, and establishing industrial zones— all of which, he claimed, have not been fulfilled.
He also criticised the government for lacking a clear plan to address the country’s economic crisis and accused the Finance Minister and other leaders of acting irresponsibly.
“Today, taxes are being imposed one after another. When asked, they say it is because of the IMF. Fuel, electricity, and water prices have all been increased, and the burden is ultimately on the people. Ordinary citizens are the ones paying for the misuse of funds by those in power or their hackers. The government cannot impose authoritarian rule by shifting this pressure onto the people,” he added.