Main opposition party to propose amendments to Sri Lanka local government electoral reforms

Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party has decided to propose amendments to the bill presented to parliament by the government on local government electoral reforms.

UNP MP and Spokesperson Gayantha Karunatileka told the local media that the party will submit amendments to the Local Government Bill.

He says the UNP would propose a multiple seat system for the local governments.
The two bills, Local Authorities (Special Provisions) Bill and the Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Bill presented in parliament last week introduce a new system to elect members to local government bodies through the amendments to the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance.
Many opposition political parties have opposed the proposed amendments to the local government electoral system.
The TNA has already said it would challenge the bill in court claiming it creates a two party electoral system.

The Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the Democratic People's Front (DPF) have also opposed the bill charging the amendments would prevent the democratic representation and be harmful to the minority parties.