Local Government Election Bill in Sri Lanka parliament next month

The Local Government Election Bill that would introduce the first-past-the-post electoral system to hold elections for local government institutions will be presented to the Sri Lankan parliament for debate next month, the Government Media Unit said today.

The proposed bill would enable the government to conduct the next local government election under both the first-past-the-post and the present Proportional Representative (PR) system.
Under the proposed amendments two-thirds of the members are to be elected on the first-past-the-post system and one-third under the PR system.

The Chief Government Whip Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has told the government media that in line with the bill, amendments to the Municipal Council Ordinance, Urban Council Ordinance and the Pradeshiya Sabha Act, will also be presented to the Parliament.

The government says it has observed that there is a wide social consensus for the present system to be changed and to revert back to the ward system in view of the shortcomings in the existing system.

On the recommendation of Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils A. L. M. Athaullah, the Cabinet on September 8 granted approval to amend the Local Government Elections Ordinance and the Municipal Council Ordinance, Urban Council Ordinance and the Pradeshiya Sabha Act.