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Opposition meets EC, demands early announcement of LG polls

Published

4 years ago

2022/11/17

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Nimal G. Punchihewa, Chairman of the Election Commission yesterday (16) said that in spite of functioning in sort of an interim/caretaker capacity consequent to the enactment of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution, his commission could conduct the scheduled Local Government election on or before March 20, 2023.

Punchihewa said that since Sept. 20, this year, the Election Commission had received the constitutional right to call Local Government polls.

Attorney-at-law Punchihewa said so when The Island sought his response to the representations made by 16 political parties and groups on the previous day regarding the alleged attempts to postpone the scheduled elections. The Opposition group included SJB leader Sajith Premadasa as well as SLPP rebels, including Prof. G.L. Peiris, TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran and SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekera.

The EC team consists of Punchihewa, M.M. Mohamed, S.B. Divaratne, K.P.P. Pathirana and P.S.M. Charles.

Following the enactment of the 21st Amendment, independent commissions, including the Election Commission would have to be reconstituted though until then the existing outfits would continue to function, Punchihewa said. The parliament is in the process of finalising the Constitutional Council.

Last Local Government elections were held in February 2018. Contesting its first election since formation in 2016, the SLPP comfortably won the lion’s share of 341 Local Government bodies.

In Dec 2021, the then Provincial Council and Local Government Minister Roshan Ranasinghe postponed Local Government elections by a year claiming the government feared the spread of Covid-19.

Responding to further questions, Punchihewa acknowledged that the Opposition couldn’t be faulted for having suspicions of possible attempts to postpone Local Government polls. However, the Election Commission was continuing preparations in that regard and didn’t foresee obstacles, he said.

Reiterating EC’s commitment to conduct the scheduled poll, Punchihewa said that announcement of poll day in early January would be sufficient to complete the preparations.

Punchihewa said that those who had been pushing for Local Government polls were concerned about the recent appointment of the new National Delimitation Committee to demarcate wards for local authorities and the call for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee on electoral reforms.

The biggest envisaged reform is to drastically cut down the number of local government representatives by about 50 percent from the current burdensome 8,000 odd members to about 4,000.

The appointment of the committee was announced in an extraordinary gazette issued by Premier Dinesh Gunawardena, in his capacity as the Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government. The committee is effective from Nov 01, 2022 to Feb 28, 2023. Headed by Punchihewa’s predecessor, Mahinda Deshapriya, the committee includes Jayalath R.V. Dissanayake, Mrs. W.M.M.R. Adikari, K. Thavalingam and I. A. Hameed.

Punchihewa said that the government couldn’t absolve itself of the responsibility for ensuring sufficient funds to sustain their work.

Mahinda Deshapriya claimed that the work undertaken by his committee wouldn’t cause further delay in Local Government polls. The former EC Chief dismissed allegations that the appointment of National Delimitation Committee was a ruse to put off scheduled elections.

Deshapriya said that every effort would be made to complete the task assigned to them ahead of schedule.

Meanwhile, Executive Director, PAFFREL (People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections) Rohana Hettiarachchi told The Island that the government shouldn’t interfere with the scheduled Local Government polls.

Questioning the call for PSC on electoral reforms and fresh delimitation process months ahead of anticipated Local Government polls, Hettiarachchi warned the government over alleged moves to cause further delays. The civil society activist recalled the massive defeat suffered by yahapalana partners who put off Local Government polls. When they finally called elections, they were routed and never recovered from the defeat experienced at Feb 2018 Local Government polls, Hettiarachchi said, adding that PAFFREL recently brought their concerns to the notice of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

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Related Topics:Election Commission Featured Nimal Punchihewa

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Advisory for High Waves for the sea areas extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle, Matara and Hambantota

Published

2 hours ago

2026/08/26

Priyan

Advisory for High Waves
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre Issued at 03.30 p.m. on 26 August 2026 Valid for the period until 03.30 p.m. 27 August 2026

An advisory for high waves has been issued for the sea areas extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle, Matara and Hambantota and naval and fishing communities engaged in activities in the aforementioned sea areas, as well as coastal communities living in the aforementioned nearshore areas, are advised to remain vigilant in this regard

The swell waves (about 2.0 m – 3.0 m) height (This is not for land area) may increase in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle, Matara and Hambantota. There is a possibility that near shore sea areas off the coast extending from Beruwala to Matara via Galle, may experience surges due to swell waves.

News

We must create social awareness to ensure the physical and mental well-being of children with disabilities – PM

Published

4 hours ago

2026/08/26

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that, given their particular vulnerability children with disabilities require protection, and stressed the need to foster social awareness to protect them from negative social influences while promoting their physical and mental well-being. She emphasized the need to implement awareness programmes for parents, teachers and other members of society towards this end.

The Prime Minister made these remarks on Tuesday [August 25] while visiting and observing the National Institute of Special and Inclusive Education – Shishyodaya, located in Veniwelkola.

The purpose of the Prime Minister’s visit was to observe the institutional structure and gain an understanding of the areas that require further development.

The Prime Minister emphasized that a systematic mechanism should be established to transform the institution, which was established in 2019 outside the basic standards and plans for Inclusive Education, into an institution that provides quality education to children and fulfills the targeted objectives of inclusive education. She also proposed appointing a special committee to make the necessary recommendations in this regard.

The Prime Minister further stated that steps would be taken in coordination with the Ministry of Health to address the shortage of therapists and medical professionals required to provide clinical services to students at the institution. She also stressed that the maintenance of equipment and buildings should be carried out properly using the financial allocations provided for such purposes.

The Prime Minister further noted that finding sustainable solutions to the issues faced by the institution is essential, while immediate interventions should be made to address issues that can be resolved without delay. The welfare of the teachers serving at the institution was also discussed during the visit.

Member of Parliament Anura Panagoda, Chairman of the Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha Kasun Rathnayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, ministry officials, parents and students were present.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

Govt. determined to press ahead with 22A: Justice Minister

Published

14 hours ago

2026/08/26

Sahan Weerasooriya

Nanayakkara

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said yesterday that the government would proceed with both the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill, because the government could not achieve its goal by increasing the retirement ages of a section of the judges.

The Attorney-at-Law declared that the government would go ahead with both Bills, whatever the obstacles. The Minister was responding to The Island query whether the government would go ahead with the Judicature (Amendment) Bill that hadn’t been so far challenged in the Supreme Court, pending the decision on the controversial 22nd Amendment facing tough legal challenge.

Nanayakkara emphasised the importance of the enactment of both Bills. The 22nd Amendment seeks to increase the retirement ages of Supreme Court judges to 67 from 65 and Court of Appeal judges from 63 to 65. The Judicature (Amendment) Bill seeks to increase the retirement ages of the High Court judges to 63 from 61, and that of the District court judges and and Magistrates to 62.

Minister Nanayakkara said that the enactment of both Bills simultaneously would make a significant contribution to improve the overall situation, particularly dealing with a backlog of 1.1 million cases.

Joint Opposition and the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), too, acknowledged that petitions against the Judicature (Amendment) Bill were yet to be filed.