While urging not to further delay the Local Government (LG) poll, the United States (US) Senate Committee on Foreign Relations yesterday (1) called on the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) to hold a “free and fair” election.

Taking to Twitter on the matter, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Bob Menendez yesterday noted that any effort to take away the voice of the people of Sri Lanka is undeniably undemocratic and a direct violation of the Sri Lankans’ rights. “I urge the GoSL to hold a free and fair Local Election without further delay,” he added.

The US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations is a panel that oversees executive agreements with foreign countries and provides advice and consent on diplomatic nominations and treaties. The Chairperson of the Committee consults with foreign dignitaries and counsels Presidents while playing a significant role in the conduct of US diplomacy.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya Opposition Parliamentarian Dr. Harsha de Silva, while addressing a media briefing, said yesterday: “The main party of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is the US. The support of the US is needed to do everything including obtaining  the IMF bailout. Therefore, the Government is saying that this Election will be held and that this Election cannot change the Government. Menendez had said that any effort to take away the voice of the people of Sri Lanka is undeniably undemocratic and a direct violation of the Sri Lankans’ rights. America doesn’t have to say this but it is a democratic right.”

On 1 February, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs of the US, Victoria Nuland noted during her official visit to Sri Lanka, at a media briefing, that President and Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilisation and National Policies Ranil Wickremesinghe had told her that the LG poll will be held.

On 24 February, the Election Commission announced that the LG poll would not be held on 9 March as scheduled, due to matters beyond its control. The new date for the poll is expected to be announced tomorrow (3).