Prime Minister Slams Opposition for Attempting to Delay Elections

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has firmly stated that the government is not attempting to postpone elections under any circumstances.

Speaking at a public gathering in Aralaganwila on Friday (14), Dr. Amarasuriya criticized the opposition, claiming that they are afraid to test the people's mandate. 

"We are carrying out this transformation systematically across every sector, based on data from thorough studies," Dr. Amarasuriya stated. "Meanwhile, what is the opposition doing? They cannot compete with our policies. They cannot criticize our policies. Can they compete with our political culture? It's unimaginable. Can they compete with our discipline? That's beyond imagination. If anyone thinks so, it's a joke. This is why they are engaging in low attempts to discredit our leadership and ministers, stirring up baseless allegations and fabricating lies. Do they think they can topple this government with such tactics? This is a government by the people, elected by the people, and protected by the people."

The Prime Minister also remarked that typically, it is those in power who try to avoid elections due to fear of being tested by the public. She recalled that when her party was in the opposition, they had filed a case to prevent the postponement of local government elections, which violated the people's fundamental rights, and they won the case.

The Prime Minister also pointed out that just recently, she saw news about a faction of the opposition approaching the Election Commission, requesting them not to rush the election. "We are not afraid to face the people. We are not afraid of being tested by the public. Regarding the election postponed for two and a half years, the date will be set by the Election Commission. We will not pressure them to delay it."

Dr. Amarasuriya emphasized, "This shows that it is the opposition, afraid to face the people, that is trying to destabilize this government. Can they succeed? It'll only be a dream."