Wednesday May 27, 2026
Wednesday May 27, 2026
Wednesday, 27 May 2026 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Cabinet Spokesman and Minister
Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa
JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva
Contradicting JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva’s recent statements, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday said financial provisions had already been allocated for the conduct of Provincial Council elections, rejecting claims that the polls could not be held this year due to funding constraints.
Speaking at the post-Cabinet media briefing, Dr. Jayatissa said the primary obstacle to holding the elections was the unresolved legal framework governing the Provincial Council electoral system.
He was responding to a question raised by a journalist regarding recent comments by JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva on the timing of the elections.
Dr. Jayatissa said a Parliamentary Committee was currently engaged in resolving the relevant legal issues and discussions were continuing on the matter.
He said the Government would be in a position to conduct the Provincial Council elections once the required legal provisions were finalised.
“This Government has already conducted two elections within eight months. Our expectation is to hold the Provincial Council election while safeguarding the people’s sovereignty in accordance with the Constitution,” he said.
The Minister also noted that even if financial allocations had not been made initially, funds could still be provided through a supplementary estimate if required.
On Sunday, Tilvin Silva said the Government expects to hold the long-delayed Provincial Council (PC) Elections next year, provided no further major disruptions emerge.
Speaking at the opening of the National People’s Power (NPP) Jaffna District office, Silva said the Government had originally allocated funds in the latest Budget to conduct the PC polls this year.
However, he said the Government was compelled to redirect nearly Rs. 500 billion towards disaster relief and recovery measures following the Cyclone Ditwah disaster.
Silva also pointed to unresolved legal complications surrounding the PC electoral system, claiming that amendments introduced during the tenure of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe had created uncertainty regarding the legal framework under which the elections should be conducted.
According to Silva, a Parliamentary Committee has now been appointed to examine the matter and recommend the appropriate legal basis for holding the polls.
“If no other major issues arise, we believe it may be possible to hold the PC Elections by next year,” Silva said.
PC Elections in Sri Lanka have remained postponed for several years due to disputes over the electoral system and delays in introducing the required legal and administrative reforms.
