The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) expressed concern about the postponement of the election in the Eastern Provincial Council and that the province would be brought under the purview of the governor after the current term expired.
Criticising the prospect of governor run administation, the SLMC secretary Nizam Kariapper told the Daily Mirror that "his party was against such a move because it would lose political authority in the council in such an eventuality."
Calling for elections to be held as soon as possible, Mr Kariapper said, “if the election is conducted, we are confident of winning it. If the government wanted to postpone elections, we would like to have the term of the council extended rather than bringing it under the control of Governor."
Stating that the SLMC had expressed its concerns to the government, he added, "we were assured by the Government that the elections would be conducted as soon as possible. Therefore, we feel alright.”