• Says will not be swayed by politicos prophesying 
• Notes that funds already allocated via Budget
• Hauls politicos over coals for inappropriate statements

In the wake of recent remarks by Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna General Secretary, Tilvin Silva, that Provincial Council (PC) Elections cannot be held this year, the Election Commission (EC) stated that statements made by various individuals, including politicians, do not matter to the Commission and the Elections would be held once the relevant legal issues are cleared.

When contacted by The Daily Morning yesterday (25), EC Chairperson

R M A L Rathnayake said they do not take such statements seriously and act only according to the prevailing legal situation. “It is not appropriate for politicians to make statements on this. Statements made by various individuals don’t matter to us either. What we do is act according to the legal situation.”

He said that a committee has already been appointed by Parliament to study the matter and recommend solutions regarding the conduct of the long-delayed PC Elections.

Rathnayake also rejected claims pertaining to financial allocations for the PC Elections, noting tha