Sri Lanka set to postpone local polls

Bankrupt Sri Lanka is set to postpone local elections due next month, according to a top official, prompting opposition protests yesterday that forced parliament to be adjourned. The March 9 vote was meant to be a key test of support for President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who took office in July after months of protests over a dire economic crisis. According to a court submission by the Election Commission, the treasury has refused to fund the printing of ballot papers, fuel or police protection for polling booths. "I had given an undertaking to the Supreme Court recently that the poll will be held on time," Election Commission chief Nimal Punchihewa told AFP. "But, I am now informing court that we won't be able to do it because the government is not releasing the necessary funds." The president previously said elections were impossible as state revenue was insufficient to pay salaries, pensions and maintain essential services. Wickremesinghe has implemented swingeing tax hikes and price rises in an effort to secure a bailout from the International Monetary Fund. Parliament was adjourned yesterday after opposition MPs carried placards to protest against what they said was a government attempt to avoid voter scrutiny.