News
Electoral system reforms, referendum ruse to postpone LG elections – IRES
by PRIYAN DE SILVA
Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies (IRES) Manjula Gajanayake has said President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s undertaking to reduce the number of local government councillors, by 50%, appoint a parliamentary select committee (PSC) to come up with electoral reforms, and hold a referendum if the committee does not submit its proposals by July next year, was a ruse to delay holding the local government elections, which should be held before 20th March 2023.
Gajanayake said the report by a PSC to formulate electoral reforms had been presented to Parliament, by its Chairman Dinesh Gunawardena, on 22 June 2022, and there was no need to appoint another PSC.The four-year term of the local government authorities, which was to end in mid-March 2022, was extended by one year by the then Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government, Janaka Bandara Tennakoon. The one-year extension ends on 19 March 2023 and, according to the Local Government Act, the LG elections could be held between 20 September 2022 and 20 March 2023. As no further extensions are possible, the power to hold the election is now with the Election Commission of Sri Lanka.
Gajanayake said that as an election observer, IRES expected the ECSL to exercise their power by holding the LG poll before 20 March 2023. Gajanayake said the Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils had reportedly prepared a new proposal to change the current electoral system and postpone holding the election as the outcome would be disadvantageous to the present regime.
Prime Munister Dr Harini Amarasuriya returned to the island this (23rd) morning after attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland,
The Sri Lanka Navy successfully conducted a diving operation on 19 Jan 26 to inspect and restore the sluice gate of the Bomburuella Reservoir.
Acting on a request from the Department of Irrigation, the Sri Lanka Navy deployed a specialized diving team from the Western Naval Command, for the urgent requirement.
Through concerted effort, the Navy divers successfully cleared accumulated debris, including a significant quantity of wooden fragments, which had impeded the sluice gate mechanism.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya held a series of high-level bilateral meetings on Wednesday [January 21] on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, engaging with representatives of the European Union, the United Nations Development Programme, and the global private sector.
The Prime Minister met with Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management. During the meeting, she expressed Sri Lanka’s appreciation for the support extended by the European Union and its member states following Cyclone Ditwa. The Prime Minister also briefed the Commissioner on the key findings of the World Bank’s GRADE report and requested continued EU support for Sri Lanka’s development and recovery efforts.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya also met with Alexander De Croo, representing the United Nations Development Programme. She expressed appreciation for the longstanding partnership between Sri Lanka and the United Nations and acknowledged the UN’s support in flood relief and livelihood assistance. The Prime Minister noted that, following the mandate received at the parliamentary election, the government is focused on meeting public expectations through national rebuilding grounded in public trust and good governance. She further reaffirmed the Government of Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening social protection systems and safeguarding vulnerable communities.
In addition, the Prime Minister met with Robert M. Uggla, Chairman of A.P. Moller Holding. The discussion focused on engagement with the private sector and potential areas of collaboration.
These meetings reflected Sri Lanka’s continued engagement with international partners and global stakeholders to support recovery, development, and long-term economic stability.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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