17 March 2019
The Chairperson and members of the Elections Commission
Elections Commission
Rajagiriya
Dear Chairman Mr. Mahinda Deshapriya
Commissioners Prof. Rathnajeevan Hoole and Mr. N. J Abeysekera
Postponement of nominations process and Parliamentary elections
We are five women’s organisations working at the national as well as the regional level to strengthen women’s representation in politics and have on many occasions over the past 15 years interacted with both the Department of Elections as well as the Elections Commission.
We ourselves began working at the district level since the dissolution of Parliament to canvass political parties to increase nominations for women and also to encourage political parties to nominate suitable candidates both men and women to contest the scheduled Parliamentary election. We are therefore aware of the various meetings and mobilisations that have been taking place, in Colombo and at district level in the run up to the final day of nominations.
We have also been deeply concerned about the current COVID-19 crisis and now understand the extremely vital need to prevent the spread of the virus in our communities and to promote responsible behavior amongst everyone.
In the light of this national emergency and the need to follow strict guidelines for social distancing as one critical measure to curb the spread of the virus we write to call upon the Elections Commission to take urgent steps to postpone the Parliamentary election as well as halt the nomination process, which inevitably requires public gatherings and movement that will be impossible to monitor or control.
We hope you will discuss this matter with all relevant authorities and take immediate and urgent steps to postpone the Parliamentary elections.
Thank you
Sincerely,
Kumudini Samuel and Viola Perera, Women and Media Collective, Colombo
Sumika Perera, Women’s Recource Centre, Kurunegala
Chandra Wedagedara, Women’s Development Centre, Badulla
H. Inthumathy Viluthu, Colombo, Trincomalee, Vanni and Jaffna
Logeshwari, Women’s Solidarity Front, Kandy
Sriyani Pathirage, Rural Women’s Front, Galle