Speaking on Saturday (6) at a meeting with former provincial councillors held at the Office of the Opposition Leader, Premadasa said the government was “alarmed” by the outcomes of the Local Government elections and was therefore avoiding holding the next round of polls.
He alleged that the government had lost approximately 2.3 million votes between the General Election and the subsequent Local Government elections, describing this as a key reason for what he called the administration’s reluctance to proceed with Provincial Council elections.
According to Premadasa, this hesitation reflects a broader unwillingness to engage with voters at a time when public sentiment is shifting. He further claimed that the delay is politically motivated and aimed at preventing further electoral setbacks.
Emphasising the importance of democratic accountability, the Opposition Leader stressed the need to safeguard universal franchise and ensure that citizens are given the opportunity to elect their representatives without undue delay. He added that conducting the Provincial Council elections under the current circumstances would be essential for strengthening democratic governance.
