Provincial Council Election Should Not Be Delayed: National Movement for Social Justice
17-Jul-2025.
It is essential to pay close attention to the issues in the Provincial Council electoral system. If needed, the President could appoint a special commission to obtain recommendations.
Nevertheless, under no circumstances should these issues be used as an excuse to postpone elections that must be held within a proper timeframe, urged the National Movement for Social Justice.
In a statement issued under the leadership of former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, the movement further stated:
While all other structures under the government apparatus with elected representatives are operational, withholding the Provincial Councils under administrative rule without elections is not only unconstitutional but also deprives the people of their right to representation.
Everyone who believes in democracy should pay close attention to this issue. Accordingly, we urge the immediate holding of Provincial Council elections.
The last Provincial Council elections were held in 2014. Since 2018, no Provincial Council in the country has had elected representation.
Instead, administration has been carried out solely under governors appointed by the President, which is entirely against democratic principles.
According to the manifesto of the National People’s Power, which is now in government, all Provincial Council elections were to be held within four months. The government must identify the obstacles preventing this.
Moreover, in the context of the aspirations of communities seeking a solution to the national ethnic issue, this is an especially serious situation.
It is therefore crucial to address the issues in the electoral system. Proposals for amendments have already been submitted by three MPs.
If necessary, the President may appoint a special commission to obtain recommendations.
However, under no circumstances should any issue be used as an excuse to delay elections that must be held within the legally mandated period, the statement emphasized.
