The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joined its affiliate, the Free Media Movement (FMM), in insisting that the Sri Lankan Government immediately reveal its position on the various statements currently circulating about the postponement of local government and provincial council elections.

‘The last local government and provincial council elections were held in 2011 and 2014 respectively. Two years have passed since the terms of the local government councils have expired but no elections have been announced, the IFJ said in a statement.

‘The IFJ asks the Sri Lankan Government to respect the democratic rights of its media and citizens, and urges the authorities to reveal their position on the postponement of the local government and provincial council elections,’ it said.

A proposal to postpone the elections according to the 20th Amendment to the Constitution has sparked news coverage across all media channels, creating what FMM calls “unrest in the society which values democracy”.

“It is certain that not only our organization, but also many other organizations that have been struggling for democracy in this country will stand against any action which may harm the process of free and fair elections, ” the FMM said.

“Therefore, the primary responsibility of the government is to reveal its stance on the election process and the related proposal of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution,” the FMM said. 

 The IFJ, along with the FMM, called upon the Sri Lankan Government to 'ensure the endurance of democracy in its country, by enabling citizens to exercise their democratic and political rights to elect their local government and provincial council representatives'.