• General public including professionals/academics/activist youths/retd. public servants all oppose delaying polls
• Call for ‘stability & progress’ achieved by incumbent Govt. to be carried forward by future leadership & administration  

In light of recent discussions about postponing upcoming Elections including the Presidential Election and the Parliamentary Election, significant controversy has emerged, drawing opinions from various sectors of society. On Monday (28), former Parliamentarian and incumbent United National Party (UNP) (part of the ruling Government alliance with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna [SLPP], and which is led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe), General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara, proposed delaying the said Elections for two years, suggesting a Parliamentary motion and a referendum if necessary. This statement has sparked a heated debate, with critics arguing that such a move would undermine democratic principles and the hard won rights of the people. Several parties have voiced strong opposition to his proposal, emphasising the necessity of upholding the electoral schedule to maintain public trust and ensure continued progress.

Speaking at a media briefing on Monday, Range Bandara said that the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections must be postponed for two years, and that a related proposal should be tabled in the Parliament, while calling for a referendum only if necessary. “Postpone these two Elections for two years. The current President has achieved significant progress by solving the country's economic issues. If an election is held at a time when the country is achieving progress, progress made will recede. These issues (a reference to the economic crisis) can be resolved within those two years, and afterwards, elections can be held. All the MPs should support this. We can call for a referendum if it is needed. If there is a referendum, no one can claim that the Government is attempting to curtail democracy and the right to vote," he claimed.

The Constitution states; "In the Republic of Sri Lanka, sovereignty is in the people and is inalienable. Sovereignty includes the powers of Government, Fundamental Rights and the franchise."

Speaking to The Daily Morning, banker by profession, Sameera Sirisena, said that the postponement of the elections cannot be approved in any way, emphasising the importance of upholding democratic processes. However, he highlighted that regardless of the electoral outcome, the next President and Government must continue the progressive policies implemented by the current administration. "Just a few years ago, we were in a dire situation where we couldn't even meet basic needs such as food, medicine, and fuel. We have to acknowledge that the programme put in place by the current President was instrumental in pulling us out of that crisis. While it may not be perfect and has its own flaws, we should appreciate its progressive nature and the positive changes that it has brought about. Therefore, the candidate who wins the next Presidential Election, as well as the party that gains power in the next Parliamentary Election, should ensure that these progressive policies are maintained and further developed." He further elaborated that it is beneficial for the country when those in power strive to build on the progressive programmes initiated by their predecessors, adding that such an approach is crucial not only in times of crisis but also during periods of stability and growth. By carrying forward these policies, he said that successive Governments can ensure continuity and sustained progress, ultimately leading to long-term improvements in the well-being of the population and the overall development of the nation.

A university academic by profession, N.H. Madanayake, speaking to The Daily Morning, acknowledged that postponing an election can be justified under certain unavoidable circumstances, such as a natural disaster or a severe crisis situation, where the welfare of the people must take precedence over electoral processes. However, he strongly condemned postponing elections for the benefit of specific politicians or political parties, stating that such actions undermine the democratic fabric of the country. "There may be times when elections cannot be held as scheduled. For instance, in the face of a severe natural disaster, the immediate priority must be the well-being and safety of the people, which can justify delaying an election. However, postponing elections simply because a particular political party or politician feels that they are unlikely to win is entirely unacceptable. Politicians should focus on serving the people to the best of their ability and earning their support, rather than manipulating electoral timelines for personal gain." He also explained the adverse consequences Sri Lanka has faced due to political manoeuvres aimed at benefiting specific individuals or parties, such as making constitutional amendments that favour political agendas over the public interest. He said that such irregularities have had long-lasting negative impacts on the country's political stability and governance, and that their effects are still being felt. To prevent a recurrence of such detrimental practices, he emphasised the importance of upholding democratic principles and allowing the people to freely choose their leaders. "The stability gradually being established in the country will not be sustained by postponing elections for political convenience as claimed by certain politicians. Instead, true stability and progress come from respecting the democratic process and empowering the people to make their own choices about who should lead them."

Speaking to The Daily Morning, Kanchana Weerakoon, who is involved in a youth based political organisation, criticised the argument presented by Range Bandara for postponing the elections, describing it as very ignorant. She pointed out that some leaders in other countries have managed to hold elections on time, even after achieving rapid development through great foresight and leadership. "We know that there are countries that have made significant progress in a very short period. Politicians in those countries could have argued that if their leaders were to leave power, such progress would collapse, and that therefore, elections should be postponed to keep them in power. However, they didn’t take that path. They held elections on time. If the rulers are truly satisfied with the service rendered by them as leaders, there should be no fear in holding elections. For instance, if President Wickremesinghe has indeed delivered the extraordinary and unique service that the UNP claims, they should not fear the electoral process. The people will undoubtedly support them in the next election." Interpreting Range Bandara's statement as extremely shameful, she urged the UNP, led by Wickremesinghe, to take appropriate action against him instead of merely dismissing his comments saying that it is his (Range Bandara) personal view. She added that no one has the right to undermine democracy and the voting rights won by the people through centuries of struggle and sacrifice for personal gain, or to make statements that encourage such moves.

Expressing his views regarding any preparation to postpone the elections, retired public servant S.P. Chandrasekara, told The Daily Morning that if the President has achieved any progress, the most appropriate way to preserve it is by holding elections at the scheduled time and building the confidence of the people in the country's governance. He emphasised that if the President seeks to remain in power by avoiding elections, or if his supporters attempt to keep him in power by doing so, it will ultimately undermine the progress that is said to have been achieved. "We don’t see significant progress compared to the last few years. Market prices remain high, parents struggle to afford sending their children to school, youth unemployment is still a major issue, and corruption and irregularities among politicians and high ranking Government officials persist. The problems are literally the same. However, let's assume that there has been some progress as they claim. To sustain this progress, the Government should give the people the opportunity to choose their leaders through free and fair elections. There is no special favour owed to the current leadership. The people's will should prevail." 

He criticised the statement made by Range Bandara, calling it a public embarrassment and insisting that it cannot be dismissed as merely his personal opinion. He argued that the entire Party (the UNP), led by the President, must take responsibility for such statements.

When questioned about the discussions surrounding the postponement of the elections, the Chairperson of the Election Commission (EC), R.M.A.L. Rathnayake said that they have no comment on such rumours. "The closest Election is the Presidential Election, which is scheduled to be held this year (2024) according to the Constitution. As the EC, we have publicly announced that the Presidential Election will be held within that constitutionally mandated period. Therefore, we have nothing further to say regarding these rumours. Our role as the EC is to conduct elections, and not to postpone them. We are committed to ensuring that the elections are held on time."

Several political parties, including the ruling SLPP, the main Parliamentary Opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna led National People's Power (NPP), and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), both also of the Opposition, have voiced opposition to any plans to postpone the upcoming elections. Representatives from these Parties have emphasised the critical importance of holding elections on time to uphold democratic principles and ensure that the people’s right to choose their leaders is respected. Members of the ruling SLPP such as MPs Namal Rajapaksa and Party General Secretary MP Sagara Kariyawasam have said that maintaining the electoral timeline is crucial for preserving public confidence in the Government and demonstrating a commitment to democratic norms. The SJB, the NPP and the TNA have also reiterated the necessity of timely elections, stressing that any attempt to postpone them would be an affront to the hard won democratic rights of the citizens. The Opposition Parties have gone a step further, expressing their willingness to unite and form a coalition to defeat any attempts to delay the electoral process.