The joint opposition including the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) met the diplomatic corps including the Ambassadors over the delay in holding the Local Government election, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said today.
Responding to an allegation made by Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga that he learnt that the opposition political parties met the deplomatic corps and requested them to delay the IMF funds to Sri Lanka and enforce strict conditions, the oposition leader said they only discussed the delay in LG polls and that they never engage in political slander.
Premadasa said they had never related internal matters to the loans, benefits and donations that the country was to receive during discussions with the international community. “We informed the diplomatic corps that delaying elections could be a huge blow to democracy.
We have a right to meet diplomats and expedite the elections. We informed them that we have been signatories to some 20 international conventions including the ICCPR Act which promotes the right to election,” he said.
Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella, who confirmed the meeting with diplomatic corps said they discussed the delay LG polls.
SJB MP Harsha de Silva said they never requested the deplomatic corps to tighten IMF conditions, instead expressed gratitude for the support they extended.
“Almost all the diplomats representing countries of bi-lateral creditors joined the said meeting. We thanked them for extending their support to Sri Lanka.