Fresh allegations suggest the government is quietly preparing a constitutional route to delay elections and extend Parliament’s term amid fears of electoral defeat, raising serious questions about democratic accountability.
Former Provincial Councilor Waruna Rajapaksa has claimed that discussions are underway within government circles to extend the term of the current Parliament through a referendum, following what he describes as an inevitable electoral defeat for the Compass Party under present political conditions.
According to Rajapaksa, it has become clear to senior government figures that the Compass Party is unable to secure victory in any election if polls are held in the current climate. He said this assessment emerged from a secret meeting involving a group of influential government representatives, where internal polling and political realities were reportedly discussed.
He further alleged that, based on these conclusions, a decision has been taken not to proceed with any elections, including the local government elections scheduled for this year. Rajapaksa stated that the postponement of elections is being justified internally as a strategic necessity rather than a constitutional obligation.
Rajapaksa also claimed that the government’s original roadmap was to contest and win a presidential election in 2028. However, he said that the steady decline in the president’s public approval ratings has forced a rethink. According to him, the president is increasingly viewed by the public as weak and ineffective, making an electoral victory at a future presidential poll highly unlikely.
As an alternative strategy, Rajapaksa alleged that the government is now preparing a constitutional amendment aimed at abolishing the executive presidency. He added that this proposed amendment would include a special provision to extend the life of the current Parliament by another four or five years, pending the establishment of a new governing structure, and that the plan would ultimately be placed before the public at a referendum.
