Sri Lankan Supreme Court Orders Local Elections Amid Rights Violations

The Sri Lankan Supreme Court has ordered the government to hold long-delayed local council elections, finding that postponements violated citizens' fundamental rights. The court dismissed the finance minister's claims of economic constraints and directed the Treasury to provide necessary funds. President Wickremesinghe defended the postponement, citing economic recovery efforts.

In a significant judicial intervention, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has directed the government to promptly conduct the long-overdue local council elections, accusing officials of violating fundamental citizens' rights by delaying them.

The court's unanimous ruling responded to multiple petitions filed by the Opposition and civil society, addressing the postponement of elections for over 340 local councils since early last year.

Dismissing the Treasury's economic crisis claims, the court mandated the allocation of requisite funds, emphasizing the need for the elections commission to proceed with preparations without affecting other upcoming elections, including the presidential election set for September 21.

(With inputs from agencies.)