Village-level polls campaigns continue

Political parties are continuing campaigning at the village level until a confirmed date is announced by the Election Commission for the local government elections, first slated for March 9.

Now that campaign finance laws are in effect, parties aim to operate according to a fixed budget.

The Elections Commission has said it will not be able to conduct local government elections on April 25. A new date is to be announced later.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said major rallies will not be held until a date is confirmed.

Campaigning will be done with canvassing at village level and small gatherings of about 20 households.

“Some parties have already exceeded their budgets, but we want to have a clean campaign and present proper accounts after the campaign,’’ he said.

United National Party (UNP) General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara said the party is not expected to mount any special campaigns for the elections. Instead, party organisation will be the focus.

From April, the aim is to hold conventions by a group of 75, which will visit each district and teach the dynamics of new politics as opposed to traditional politics.

On May 1, the party is expected to host a workshop, opposing traditional May Day rallies, where people are given alcoholic drinks and then commit acts of violence.

Further, the “electoral division balamandalaya”, will be held to modify the party constitution, under the guidance of party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara, said party organisation activities and campaigns are being held on a village basis. Leaflets are distributed in house-to-house canvassing and also by holding small meetings.

“We do not receive much money anyway. Our party will campaign by somehow managing the expenses,’’ he said.

Wasantha Samarasinghe, executive committee member of the National People’s Power (NPP), said campaigning is continuing at village level.

In this way, the NPP expects to strengthen the village-based network, through which rallies and protests are being organised to demand local elections.

“The Election Commission is violating the democratic rights of the people and acting to the will of a lunatic,’’ Mr Samarasinghe said.

Campaigning is done “according to the law”, including staying within spending limits, but the Election Commission is “acting against the law” and should be punished, he said.

The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) is continuing campaigns at the “grassroots level,” Education Secretary Pubudu Jagoda told the Sunday Times.

Due to the laws on election spending, smaller meetings at village level are favoured instead of large-scale gatherings, to discuss issues such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) facility and the postponement of elections.

“We are continuing as a political campaign rather than an election campaign,’’ Mr. Jagoda said.

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara said campaigns will continue and will be intensified when a date is finalised.

“We will not give up our demand for elections,’’ Mr Jayasekara said.