The political authority and certain groups and media are placing hurdles in the way of holding the local government polls, charged Election Commission chairman Nimal Punchihewa.
He told his officials that the EC was paying attention to these disruptions that number around 20.
The government and state agencies are citing various practical difficulties in holding the election as scheduled on March 09.
Finance secretary Mahinda Siriwardena has informed the Supreme Court that finding money needed to hold the LG polls has become very challenging in view of the plight of the economy.
On January 31, the president gave instructions to further curtail expenditure of the state and a subsequent Finance Ministry circular said violators would be held personally responsible.
The total cost of holding the election is estimated at Rs. 10 billion, and the EC has asked the Treasury to release Rs. 770 million to make preliminary arrangements.
Commissioner general of the EC Saman Sri Ratnayake ha submitted an affidavit to the SC, seeking an order to the relevant authorities to release funds to hold the election.
Everyone is duty bound to fulfill the supremacy of the people by facilitating elections, he said, adding that the Rs. 10 billion needed for the LG polls is just two days’ income of the state, which earns Rs. 155 billion a month.
(BBC Sinhala Service)
