PC polls seem unlikely in 2019, EC says

• Elections Commissioner tells Speaker necessary amendments were due by 5 April 
• Failure to do so means PC polls unlikely in 2019, as Presidential poll due by year end
• UPFA MP Dullas Alahapperuma reveals details of letter written by EC to Speaker
• Govt. says Opposition insistence on new poll system caused delay

Chairman of the Elections Commission of Sri Lanka (ECSL) Mahinda Deshapriya has informed Speaker Karu Jayasuriya that he will be forced to take legal action if Parliament does not take measures to make the necessary amendments to the Provincial Council Election Act so that the poll can be held by August.

The details of the latter written by EC Deshapriya were revealed to the House by United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) lawmaker Dullas Alahapperuma. 

MP Alahapperuma told the House that the Speaker had presented the NEC Chairman’s letter at the last Party Leaders’ Meeting held in Parliament. In the letter, Deshapriya has stated that the amendments to hold the Provincial Council Elections must be presented in Parliament at by 5 April the latest (yesterday) if the elections are to be conducted prior to August.

He had said failure to do so would mean that the PC polls are unlikely to be held in 2019, prior to the Presidential Election, which is due in the 4th quarter this year.

“No amendments are seen today in the Parliament supporting the Provincial Council Elections. Presidential Elections should be announced on or before 5 October. Unless amendments are moved today, the Provincial Council Elections cannot be held within this year. Parliament is sitting again in May, and the agenda for 7 and 8 May are already prepared,” he said.

Public Enterprise, Kandyan Heritage and Kandy Development Minister and Leader of the House of Parliament Lakshman Kiriella said the delay in PC polls were caused by the Opposition›s insistence that the Election be held under the new electoral system.

“From the beginning, UNP has requested to hold the PC Election under the existing electoral system. It was the Opposition that suggested to hold it according to the new electoral system. However, the new system is incomplete. Only half of the new electoral system has been passed. Despite the necessity to hold the Election under the existing system, it is required to go for an amendment and present it in Parliament,” he said.

“If the existing system was in effect, the Election would have been held six months ago. We have no reason to postpone it. In fact, we are in favour of holding the PC Election. Our provincial councillors are outside. They are also urging us to hold the elections. Let us all take a decision regarding this matter after obtaining the views of the President,” Kiriella added. (AH)