Saturday Feb 21, 2026
Saturday Feb 21, 2026
Saturday, 21 February 2026 00:27 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
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| Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne |
Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne announced in Parliament yesterday the composition of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) tasked with examining and recommending the electoral system under which future Provincial Council elections should be conducted.
The special committee will be chaired by Minister Vijitha Herath and has been mandated to investigate the current framework, evaluate alternatives and submit proposals and recommendations to Parliament.
The other members appointed to the committee are Munir Mulafer, Sunil Watagala, Arun Hemachandra, R. M. Ranjith Maddumabandara, Mano Ganeshan, Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, Shanakkian Rajaputthiram Rasamanikkam, Samanmali Gunasinghe, Rdhamapriya Wijesinghe, Chandana Suriya Arachchi and President’s Counsel M. Nizam Kariyapper.
The appointment of the PSC signals renewed movement on long-delayed Provincial Council elections, with the committee expected to deliberate on the most suitable electoral formula — whether retaining, reforming or replacing the existing mixed system — amid broader calls for clarity and consensus.
In a separate announcement, the Speaker informed Parliament that the certificate of incorporation of the Sri Lanka Institute of Real Estate Professionals was recorded on 19 February 2026 in terms of Article 79 of the Constitution.
The legislation was first presented to Parliament on 05 December 2025 by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and was subsequently passed on 05 February 2026.
With certification now completed, the law comes into force as the Sri Lanka Institute of Real Estate Professionals Act, No. 6 of 2026.
The Act provides for the establishment of a professional body responsible for maintaining standards, discipline and ethical conduct among its members. It also contains provisions aimed at safeguarding and promoting the public interest in the real estate profession, along with related and incidental matters.
