Speaker names members of PSC on electoral reforms

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena yesterday announced the names of MPs for a Parliamentary Select Committee to identify appropriate reforms of the election laws and the electoral system and to recommend necessary amendments.

 Leader of the House Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has been appointed as the chairman of the Committee comprising 14 MPs.

Other members of the PSC are Nimal Siripala de Silva, Prof G. L. Peiris, Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi, Douglas Devananda, Wimal Weerawansa, M.U. M. Ali Sabry, Jeevan Thondaman, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Kabir Hashim, R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Mano Ganesan, M.A. Sumanthiran, Madhura Withanage and Sagara Kariyawasam.

Minister Gunawardena on April 5 moved a motion in the House to appoint a PSC to identify appropriate changes to election laws and the electoral system, and to recommend necessary amendments.

The PSC will have the power to summon any person to appear before it as well as call for documents or records, obtain written or oral evidence and obtain the services of specialists and experts in the relevant fields to assist the committee.

The committee will report back to Parliament in six months.