The Sri Lankan Government has rejected claims that India pressured the administration to hold the long-delayed Provincial Council elections, insisting that the country makes its political decisions independently.
Minister K. D. Lal Kantha said Sri Lanka is a sovereign nation and that no foreign government can pressure the current administration.
He acknowledged that foreign representatives are free to express their views, but stressed that decisions on the Provincial Council elections would be made by the Sri Lankan Government.
Addressing the delay in holding the elections, Minister Kantha said the process faces significant legal and administrative challenges following changes made by a previous government to the electoral system.
He said efforts to restore the previous system or redraw electoral wards have resulted in disagreements among political parties and other stakeholders.
The Minister said the Government is working to resolve the outstanding issues and remains committed to holding the Provincial Council elections once the necessary legal and administrative arrangements are completed.
India, meanwhile, has recently called on Sri Lanka to conduct the long-delayed Provincial Council elections “at the earliest” and to fully implement the relevant constitutional provisions.
The call was made during Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s one-day official visit to Colombo, according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
During the visit, Misri also discussed issues involving fishermen and called for Sri Lanka’s cooperation in securing the early release of detained fishermen and boats. India said a humanitarian approach should continue to guide efforts to resolve the fisheries-related issues while bilateral mechanisms work towards a lasting solution.
