Thu, 28 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Committee to study crisis in electoral system

13 January 2020 10:17 pm - 0     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

In a bid to hold much delayed provincial council elections soon after parliamentary polls, Legal Reforms Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has appointed a committee of top officials to study the current crisis in the electoral system and propose amendments.

The minister told Daily Mirror today that he discussed the matter with representatives of the Elections Commission, Attorney General’s Department, Legal Draftsman’s Department and the Ministries of Justice, Human Rights and Legal Reforms.

“I appointed a committee and instructed them to study the Provincial Councils Elections (Amendment) Act of 2017, the delimitation report and relevant legislation that had led to the delay in conducting PC polls and to submit a report as soon as possible. The government expects to hold PC polls soon after parliamentary elections are held in late April. A decision will be taken on whether PC polls should be conducted according to the old electoral system or the new one. Whatever the way PC polls are held, parliamentary approval is needed,” he said.

Meanwhile, Legal Officer of Local Government and Provincial Councils, Gayani Prematilaka said PC polls could not be conducted under the new electoral system unless shortcomings found in the delimitation report were rectified.

“The government’s stance is that PC polls need to be held as early as possible because all nine provinces were without people’s representation and under the rule of governors. Some provinces have been under the rule of governors for nearly two years. In 2018, former President Maithripala Sirisena appointed a three-member committee chaired by former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Failure to conduct PC polls could have been addressed much earlier if the former premier had submitted the report by the three-member committee to look into the flawed material. The best thing to do under the prevailing situation is to amend the Provincial Councils Election (Amendment) Act with the consent of party leaders thus paving the way for early PC polls,” she said. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 0

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H