The Government is considering holding the upcoming Provincial Council (PC) elections under the previous system, in an effort to break the deadlock caused by ongoing disagreements over the delimitation process.
A senior government source revealed that the new delimitation process is lengthy and complex. As a result, authorities are exploring the option of reverting to the Provincial Councils Elections Act of 1988 for the next election cycle.
“We are considering holding it for one last time under the old system. This would allow sufficient time for the delimitation process to be completed, after which future elections can be held under the PC Act of 2017,” the source said.
Pressure is mounting on the Government to hold the Provincial Council elections without further delay.
In a draft resolution tabled this week at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the Core Group behind the resolution urged Sri Lanka to fulfil its commitments on devolving political authority — a key component of reconciliation and the protection of human rights for all citizens. The resolution specifically called on the Government to respect local governance by conducting PC elections and ensuring that all provincial councils, including those in the Northern and Eastern provinces, function effectively in line with the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution.
At the same session, India reiterated its position on the importance of conducting PC polls.
“India’s approach has always been to support the aspirations of the Tamil community for equality, justice, dignity and peace within the overall unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka. In this regard, India has consistently called for the full and effective implementation of the Sri Lankan Constitution, early conduct of provincial council elections, and meaningful devolution of powers,” said Anupama Singh, First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of India to the UN in Geneva.
Under the 1988 Provincial Councils Act, members are elected through the Proportional Representation (PR) system. The amended Provincial Councils Elections Act of 2017 introduced a hybrid Multi-Member Proportional system, combining elements of PR and the Westminster first-past-the-post model.
However, disputes over the 2018 delimitation commission report have stalled the elections, which were last held in 2014.
