Addressing the media, Mr. Gammanpila criticized a recent statement by Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Janaka Bandara Thennakoon suggesting that Provincial Council elections might be postponed due to the current economic situation, calling it a “joke.”
Gammanpila alleged that the real reason for the postponement is the government’s fear of facing voters. Citing the confidential survey, he stated that the administration’s approval rating currently stands at 24.7% and argued that if elections were held today, the government would fail to win a single council — a “bitter truth” he said the government is desperate to avoid.
He issued a direct challenge to the government, stating that if his claims are untrue, the Provincial Council elections should be announced within the next month. Gammanpila warned that delaying the polls for another year would further erode public support, potentially reducing the voter base from 25% to as low as 3%.
