SLFP agrees to hold PC polls under old system

Member of Parliament and UPFA member Nimal Siripala de Silva (centre) at the media briefing with MP and National Freedom Front Leader Wimal Weerawansa and MP and UPFA member Dullas Alahapperuma  – Pic by Daminda Harsha Perera

• Nimal Siripala de Silva says President has also agreed to compromise 
• Wants PM to submit report by committee to evaluate delimitation  

By Nuwan Senarathna 

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MP Nimal Siripala de Silva yesterday said the party was agreeable to holding Provincial Council (PC) elections under the previous system to prevent additional delays. 

“Previously the Sri Lanka Freedom Party wanted to hold Provincial Council elections under the new mixed electoral system, but considering the current situation we agree to hold the election under the old system,” MP Nimal Siripala De Silva said at a press conference held at Opposition Leader’s office. 

He noted United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MPs had agreed to hold the election under the old electoral system due to the delay of the PC polls and to protect the public’s right to vote. He also said that the President had also agreed to hold elections under old system to avoid further delays. 

Siripala pointed out that PC polls could be held under the old electoral system if the Government considers passing the Cabinet paper that was proposed to draft legislation to enable the Government to hold Provincial Council elections under the previous electoral system during the Sirisena- Rajapaksa 52 days Cabinet.  

“It is obvious that we have to pass a new bill to hold Provincial Council under old system but it is not that hard because Faizer Mustapa who was the Minister of Provincial Council and Local Government during the 52 day Cabinet had completed all necessary task to finalise the bill and approved in the Cabinet as well, therefore we can hold the polls,” he added.

Meanwhile, he charged that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is yet to submit the report of the committee appointed by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to review the report of the Delimitation Commission even after the lapse of two months. 

“If the Prime Minister submits the report of the committee to review the report of the Delimitation Commission the President could gazette the report and hopefully the Elections Commission would be able to hold the election,” he charged.