Provincial Council Elections After Resolving Delimitation Issues — Minister Chandaana

14-Jul-2025

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Minister of Provincial Councils, Local Government and Public Administration, Chandaana Abeyratne, has confirmed that the government is firmly committed to conducting Provincial Council elections promptly, once the ongoing issues related to electoral boundaries (delimitation) are resolved. 

He emphasized that these matters will be urgently discussed at an upcoming ministerial advisory committee meeting.

Responding to inquiries about the status of Provincial Council elections, the Minister explained that following the completion of appointments to local government bodies, the next phase will involve preparing for the Provincial Council elections.

He recalled that during the tenure of the previous Good Governance regime, the 17th Amendment Provincial Councils Election (Amendment) Bill submitted by then Minister Faizer Mustapha in 2017 was defeated. As a result, elections were indefinitely postponed.

Currently, there is considerable confusion over whether elections should be held under the previous or a revised electoral system. The delimitation issues must be addressed for elections to proceed, and a clear, non-controversial solution is crucial.

Initial steps are already being taken. The government plans to hold swift consultations with parliamentary political party leaders and reach a broad consensus through Parliament. 

Operating Provincial Councils without elected representatives would be undemocratic. The Minister expressed hope that the opposition would extend full cooperation in this matter.