Provincial Council polls after electoral reforms, says PM Harini
By M. R. M. Waseem and Rajadurai Hashan
COLOMBO – Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Wednesday (10) said Provincial Council elections will be held only after a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on electoral reforms submits its recommendations, arguing that conducting polls under the existing electoral system would perpetuate structural flaws and administrative challenges.
Responding to questions raised by New Democratic Front MP Ravi Karunanayake during Parliament’s Question Hour, the Prime Minister said the government was committed to holding elections but wanted to ensure they were conducted under a reformed and more representative electoral framework.
“We cannot adapt democracy according to our needs. Elections will be held once the Parliamentary Select Committee on electoral matters submits its recommendations and draft report,” she said.
Amarasuriya noted that the electoral system under which Provincial Council elections should be conducted remains a contentious issue and warned that proceeding under the old framework could create governance and administrative difficulties.
She said the existing system fails to ensure adequate representation for women and youth, does not allow for the election of constituency-based representatives, and retains the preferential voting mechanism, which she described as a contributor to corruption within the political system.
“If Provincial Council elections are conducted under the old electoral system, we will be unable to address longstanding concerns regarding representation and electoral integrity,” she said.
The Prime Minister stressed that the government was not reluctant to face elections, pointing out that two national elections had already been held during a period of economic hardship.
“We are not afraid of elections. Over the past one and a half years, elections have been conducted despite difficult economic conditions,” she said.
Amarasuriya called for cross-party support for electoral reforms, saying Sri Lanka needed a modern electoral system that reflects current democratic requirements and strengthens public confidence in the political process.
-ENCL
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