The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of National Integration

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, we recall that the Local Government Election had been fixed for 9 March 2023. At that time, all political parties in our country, including the party representing the then President, had submitted nominations and were preparing to contest. The people saw that election as a special opportunity to create change in the country. I, too, was preparing to contest as a candidate for the Weligama Urban Council.

¶ 02 When we were ready, there was a strong public desire to change the prevailing political culture. Everyone here knows that the election was not postponed out of concern for the people or democracy, but plainly out of the desire to remain in power for at least another year. The election was postponed in a most unbecoming manner. Not only that, even though the President’s party had submitted nominations and was ready to contest, the President came to this august House and said, “The poll has not been postponed; there is no decision to postpone.” This was published in the Dinamina of 27.02.2023. He even said the Election Commission had not yet officially announced a date, attacking democracy in that manner.

¶ 03 We then saw various political parties, civil society and others turning to the courts seeking to hold the election. There is also a court judgment on this.

¶ 04 Hon. Deputy Speaker, successive parties in power in this country have too often used local elections as a tool to consolidate their power. Last week, we were in Pakistan for a Commonwealth meeting, where a key discussion point was how to strengthen local authorities for regional development. Many countries discussed this, and Sri Lanka was highlighted as managing local authorities well.

¶ 05 But we have also seen that many governments have delayed or postponed elections to consolidate power, and sometimes held partial elections. When public expectations of elections disappear and that civic right is denied, many in the Opposition came before the media and expressed their displeasure.

¶ 06 On 13.03.2023, an Opposition MP told the media that parliamentary privileges were being used again to delay the election. I was surprised. When their leader postponed the election and suppressed democratic rights, that group remained silent; now they talk about defects in the law. Nowhere in the world are humans perfect, nor are laws ever perfect; with time, laws need refinement.

¶ 07 We accept, as the Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan said, that certain changes are needed. But such correct changes cannot be delivered by any movement other than a Government of the National People’s Power. When the election was postponed then, there was a great outcry to hold it urgently. You know that by the time we reach the coming month, it will be two full years since the date that election had been scheduled. In our history, some have tried to secure local victories by distributing rice, dhal, roofing sheets, toilet pans and such.

¶ 08 Today we all speak of democracy. Those who cry over delays in elections sometimes deploy racism during campaigns. As a responsible Government, and as a party elected with the people’s trust, we see it as our duty to secure the people’s democratic rights.

¶ 09 Concerns were raised about holding the Local Government Election during the Ramadan period. I firmly believe the election will not be held during Ramadan, but thereafter. However, let me recall that on 10 October 2000 — during Ramadan — a General Election was held, on the 8th day of fasting.

¶ 10 It was also said that exams will be on. If we look at history, even during exam periods elections have sometimes been held to secure power. We must not forget this. When the election was postponed then, an Opposition MP elsewhere said they were afraid of Toyota, Honda and Komatsu — machinery. Today the country knows who is actually afraid.

¶ 11 Hon. Deputy Speaker, some said this Government could fall within six months. Next month, it will be six months since we came to power. If you have such confidence, prepare for the upcoming Local Government Election, contest and let the people decide.

¶ 12 If there are shortcomings within a party, correct them and move forward systematically. Let me recall: for the first time in history, even while we held State power, we conducted the General Election without using State resources and set an example. We have shown that we are peaceful during and after elections. Therefore, no one should harbor undue fear. The upcoming Local Government Election will be the most peaceful you have seen.

¶ 13 Those who talk today about electoral violence and freedom must remember how, in the past, they celebrated even co-operative elections with tyres burned and vehicles damaged.

¶ 14 We must also discuss local representatives. In the past, our villages had members devoted to village development. There were about 2,000 such notable persons; through the 1991 Pradeshiya Sabha system this increased to 4,500, and later to 8,500 under subsequent law. One could be a Pradeshiya Sabha member, a Kottasha Sabha member, or a village development committee representative; the purpose was to identify local needs and act. But recently, who was selected? Thugs who assisted MPs, or those used to channel ill-gotten funds.

¶ 15 Finally, two matters: youth representation and women’s representation. Parties that speak of youth often fielded sons, daughters or siblings of leaders; those with family backgrounds won. We, as the Government of the National People’s Power, are proud to have given representation to talented youth from ordinary families with no political background, proving it in practice beyond law.

¶ 16 On women’s representation too, show me otherwise: in most major parties, women representatives are there because their husbands or fathers were in politics. In our party, twenty women represent in Parliament without such backgrounds. We have proven in practice, beyond the law, the need to ensure proper women’s representation.

¶ 17 Hon. Deputy Speaker, our time is up. As exemplary MPs, we insist the election must be held. Through that, let us produce good local representatives and, together, work for a “Prosperous Country, Beautiful Life”. I conclude. Thank you.