Saturday Apr 11, 2026
Saturday Apr 11, 2026
Saturday, 11 April 2026 04:18 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
A Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) chaired by Minister Vijitha Herath is weighing fresh legal options to resolve the long-stalled Provincial Council elections, with officials warning that unresolved delimitation issues under the 2017 electoral reforms continue to block the process.
The PSC tasked with reviewing the electoral system for Provincial Council polls has sought legal and procedural clarity from the Attorney General’s Department and the Elections Secretariat as it attempts to break a prolonged impasse.
At its second meeting held in Parliament on 7 April, the Committee was informed by Elections Secretariat officials that the core obstacle stems from the incomplete delimitation process required to implement the Mixed Proportional Representation (MPR) system introduced under the Provincial Council Elections (Amendment) Act No. 17 of 2017.
Officials noted that Parliament’s failure to approve the original delimitation report triggered the appointment of a five-member review committee headed by the Prime Minister. Although mandated to submit its report to the President within two months, the committee has yet to do so, leaving the legal framework incomplete and effectively stalling the election process.
As a result, the Elections Secretariat emphasised that there are currently no provisions in place to conduct Provincial Council elections under the existing law.
Committee members explored alternative legal avenues, including the possibility of repealing the 2017 Amendment Act and reverting to the previous electoral framework. The Attorney General’s Department confirmed that such a move is legally feasible through the re-enactment of the original law.
Members also underscored the need for any revised legislation to incorporate provisions ensuring greater representation of women and youth.
The Committee further deliberated on conducting elections under the earlier proportional representation system, as proposed in a Private Member’s Bill by Shanakkian Rajaputthiram Rasamanikkam.
Chairman Herath directed the Attorney General’s Department to submit a detailed report examining Supreme Court rulings related to the 2017 Amendment Act, the legal barriers to holding elections, and the options available to address them.
The PSC also decided to summon officials from the Delimitation Commission at its next sitting as it moves to fast-track solutions to one of Sri Lanka’s longest-pending electoral issues.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Ministers Arun Hemachandra, Sunil Watagala and Munir Mullafar, along with MPs including R. M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Mano Ganeshan, Rasamanikkam, Chandana Suriyaarachchi, Dharmapriya Wijesinghe, Samanmali Gunasinghe and Lakshman Nipunaarachchi.
