The government decided yesterday (18) to present the Bill to regulate election expenses, which discloses parties giving money for election campaigns, despite the Opposition’s objections.
Although agreement was not expressed by the Opposition during a special meeting held at the Parliament premises with the participation of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, representatives of the ruling party
and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader Rauff Hakeem, Leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Maithripala Sirisena under the leadership of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, it was announced that the Act will be presented.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, National People’s Power Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Professor G.L.Peiris, who requested not to bring the Election Expenses Regulation Act at this time, did not participate in the meeting presided over by President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Although steps were taken to make an announcement regarding the decision made by the government at the Party Leaders’ Meeting which commenced soon after the discussion presided over by the President ended, Party Leaders of the Opposition said they were against it.
At that time, the ruling party challenged the opposition to demand a vote if possible to defeat the Bill if the opposition party would not support bringing in the Bill to regulate election expenses, which will expand the possibilities of holding a free and fair election.
Under this situation, it is believed that voting will be held in Parliament today (19) to pass the Election Expenses Regulation Bill. By bringing the Election Expenses Regulation Bill, it was expected to make public, information about factions spending money on election campaigns.
A number of civil and mass organizations had declared that they would have the opportunity to hold a free and fair election in Sri Lanka through that system.
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