The Buddha Sasana Task Force addressed a letter to President Ranil Wickremesinghe stressing on the need to hold the local government election without delay for national and diplomatic stability.

It calls to limit the number of ministers to 15, and remove State Ministers. It also calls to move the administration of all ministries under the relevant secretary, and suspend all state festivities.

In addition, the letter notes to suspend imports of luxury goods and suspend non-essential expenses of the ministries and provide the required funds for the Local Government Election.

A protest organised by university teachers and the Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) in Colombo yesterday (8) opposing the Police’s use of tear gas and water cannons against the the IUSF-organised protest Tuesday (7) near the University of Colombo was also met with tear gas and water cannon attacks by the Police, which had reportedly affected after-school transportation in the vicinity.

During the protest – which started near the university premises with the participation of more than 500 university teachers and students, including IUSF members – protestors chanted slogans against President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the current Government, and the Police while holding up placards that read various slogans. The protest progressed towards the Town Hall area along the road in front of Thurston College, Colombo 7. At the time, a heavy Police presence, including officers of the Police Special Task Force, Anti-Riot Unit Officers, and Army personnel, was observed around the area and water cannon trucks were seen parked on the side of the main road. As the protest moved forward, protestors were observed stopping and shouting towards the private residence of Wickremesinghe on Fifth Lane in Colombo 3. In response, a large group of police officers was deployed to the location of the President’s residence.

The protestors then proceeded to move further towards the Town Hall area, prompting the Police to use tear gas and water cannons on them at Cambridge Place in Colombo 7. The tear gas and water cannon attack by the Police had also affected schoolchildren in school vehicles. As seen in video footage, schoolchildren were greatly inconvenienced by the tear gas and water cannon attacks. Meanwhile, a student in a school bus was seen holding a placard which read: “Victory to the people’s struggle (“aragalayata jayawewa”)”.

The protest held by the IUSF on Tuesday – which was based on a number of demands, including the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act, the release of student activists arrested for what the IUSF claims to be were unjust reasons, and the holding of the Local Government election as scheduled – was met with tear gas and water cannon attacks by the Police in the area surrounding the university. During the Police’s tear gas and water cannons attack, protestors had entered the university premises, following which a group of Police and Anti Riot Unit Officers had also entered and allegedly assaulted several protestors.

Police has fired tear gas and used water cannons to disperse a protest march organized by the students of the University of Kelaniya, a short while ago, Ada Derana reporter said.

The protest march has reportedly staged by the students demanding the release of Students’ Union President of Kelaniya University Kelum Mudannayake and student activist Harshana Dissanayake who are currently under remand custody.

The two students’ union activists were arrested on January 02, 2023 by Thalangama Police after they appeared before Thalangama Police. The arrests had been carried out over the charges of damaging public property during a protest near the Education Ministry on June 10, 2022.

The Election Commission says the secure envelopes containing the postal ballots for the local government election will be handed over to the post offices on the 21st of March.

Commissioner General of elections Saman Sri Ratnayake says that postal voting will take place in March.

The Election Commission says that the extradordinary gazette regarding the holding of the local government election on the 25th of April is due to be issued by the District reterning Officers.

Meanwhile, the Government printer says that they are to send a letter to the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday (8) requesting funds for the preliminary printing of ballot papers and other preperations for the election.

The Government Printer says that it is estimated over 400 million Rupees will be required for printing purposes.

She further added that the printing of ballot papers will resume based on the response of the Finance Ministry.

The Government Printer says that they will request the Inspector General of Police today to provide additional security for the printing of ballot papers.

They also noted that ballot papers for postal voting have been printed in 17 districts so far.