The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake

¶ 01 Honestly, I did not expect this from a senior MP like you who speaks the truth. Hon. Deputy Chairperson, I have with me the decision of the Party Leaders’ Meeting of 25 November. I will read it into the Hansard without taking from his time — from ours. It states:

¶ 02 “... all the Leaders of the Political Parties in Parliament were of the view that the Local Authorities Elections need to be held and fresh nominations need to be called for the same.”

¶ 03 This was decided at the Party Leaders’ Meeting in Parliament held on 25 November 2024 at 5.00 p.m.

¶ 04 These were decisions by all party leaders. You said we lost all co-operative polls. Then you can win this election. The Budget Debate ends on 21 March (Third Reading). The election can then be held by late April or even May; the Election Commission will decide. We all agreed. We have been in weaker positions — sometimes three or six Members — but we never told the Government to delay elections because it did not suit us.

¶ 05 We do not use State property, nor State media.