News

EPDP urges mixed electoral system for Parliamentary elections

Published

5 years ago

2021/09/10

By Dinasena Ratugamage

The Parliamentary elections should be held under a mixed electoral system, EPDP leader and Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda told the media on Wednesday (08). He said that he had already proposed it to the Parliament select committee on electoral reforms.

“There are 225 seats in Parliament. 150 of them have to be elected under the first-past-the-post system while the rest should be elected under the Proportional Representation sytem and appointed via the National List. The Minister said that Vavuniya, Mannar, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi should be made separate electoral districts before the next general election. “MPs should be elected using proportional representation in these districts. Moreover, the delimitation process in the Northern Province should be finalised before holding the election. There are many issues with delimitation,” he said.

On the other hand, the local government election should be held under the proportional representation system, he said. “We hold them now under a mixed system and there has been so much instability created because of this. Initially, we also supported the mixed system but are now convinced it is a failure,” the Minister said.

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Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority

Published

5 hours ago

2026/10/6

Priyan

Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.

Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.

Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.

News

Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations

Published

6 hours ago

2026/10/6

Priyan

With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.

Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.

Latest News

M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens

Published

6 hours ago

2026/10/6

Priyan

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to appoint M. M. D. J. Senarathne, who is the senior most officer in Grade I of Sri Lanka Scientific Service se