Former Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya has strongly criticized the continued operation of Provincial Councils without elected representatives, calling it a violation of democratic principles.

Addressing the media, Deshapriya said that while some argue the councils can function administratively, “it is a crime to operate a public representative organization without public representatives.”

He warned that if Provincial Councils are allowed to run without members, the same logic could extend to Parliament and local councils, undermining the very foundation of representative governance.

He stressed that officials cannot substitute for elected representatives, as they are not directly accountable to the public.

Deshapriya announced that he will reveal further details on September 15, World Democracy Day, and expressed hope that by then the government will have announced the format and date for long‑delayed Provincial Council elections. (Newswire)

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Former Chairman of the National Election Commission, Mahinda Deshapriya, has highlighted the need for new laws to grant voting rights to expatriate workers, facilitate voting for local workers, and prevent the appointment of unqualified public representatives.

Addressing the media, Deshapriya said a government‑appointed committee has submitted a report on enabling voting for Sri Lankan expatriates and migrant workers.

He revealed that during multiple discussions with the Election Commission, it was noted that the proposal is effective in principle but impractical in implementation due to several challenges.

The former Chairman stressed that other, more urgent legal reforms are required. He underscored the need for legislation to allow local workers, who are unable to cast their ballots on election day, to vote from their place of employment.

“There must be a system where local workers can cast their ballots either the day before or on election day, from their workplace instead of travelling to their hometown. During the war, displaced persons were permitted to vote from wherever they resided, rather than returning to the North. A similar law could be introduced for workers unable to travel home due to job commitments,” he explained.

Deshapriya further emphasized the importance of preventing unqualified individuals from entering public office, urging the government to take immediate legislative action.

“Immediate action is required. These are the issues that must be addressed now,” he added. (Newswire)

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Former Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya has called for a dedicated youth quota in parliamentary and provincial council elections, similar to the provision already in place for local government polls.

Speaking ahead of International Youth Day on August 12, Deshapriya told the media yesterday that youth participation in politics remains low despite the need for fresh perspectives. 

“Youth need democracy, democracy needs youth,” he said, adding that political institutions also need young members to stay relevant and representative.

The call is being backed by VIEW (Volunteer Initiatives for Election Watch) and AFRIEL (Association of Friendship and Love), which will launch awareness campaigns in Jaffna, Batticaloa, Vavuniya, Nuwara Eliya, Colombo, Gampaha, Matara and Hambantota on Tuesday, he said. 

The initiatives will focus on highlighting the lack of youth representation and advocating for policy changes to address it. (Newswire)

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The National Peoples’ Power (NPP) will not face any obstacles in functioning as the ruling party of the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha, former Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya said. 

The NPP emerged victorious in the recently held Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha Election, securing 15 seats, while the other opposition parties combined secured the remaining 15 seats. 

Addressing concerns over the NPP’s majority, Mahinda Deshapriya said as per the Election Law the NPP had won the election with a clear majority of 50% and thus the party Secretary has the power to nominate the Chairman and Deputy Chairman.

He said, that on the request of the Election Commission, the NPP Secretary will suggest the names of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman for the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha.

“A vote will also not be required to elect a Chairman as the NPP has secured the 50% majority of elected members in the election,” Mahinda Deshapriya said.

“When voting takes place on any proposal put forth at the Pradeshiya Sabha, if the opposition votes against the proposal then the Chairman can use his vote as a deciding vote, either in favour or against,” the former Election Commissioner further explained. (Newswire)

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Legal experts have said that a Parliamentarian can be appointed as a Cabinet Minister, despite not having taken an oath of office as a Member of Parliament.

Shedding light on the procedure, former Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya also confirmed that a person is only required to be appointed as a Member of Parliament to hold a Cabinet portfolio.

In a statement on social media, he further said that, however, it was not necessary to take the oath as a Member of Parliament.

Meanwhile, a political science expert of the Sri Jayawardenepura University, Professor Vishaka Sooriyabandara also revealed that a Parliamentarian is not required to take the oath of office as a Member of Parliament to be appointed as a Cabinet Minister.

Speaking to local media, Prof. Sooriyabandara said that the gazette that has been issued mentioning the appointment as a Member of Parliament was sufficient to be appointed as a Cabinet Minister.

Prof. Sooriyabandara pointed out that by not taking the oath of office as a Member of Parliament, he only loses the opportunity to vote and speak in Parliament.

The clarifications come as National People’s Power (NPP) member Lakshman Nipuna Aaarchchi, who was recently gazetted as a Parliamentarian but is yet to take oaths in Parliament, is likely to be appointed as a Cabinet Minister under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s new government. (Newswire)

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Former Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya says several proxy candidates are contesting the upcoming Presidential Elections.

He said it was obvious that several of the independent candidates were linked to one main candidate and were posing as proxies to secure votes in the elections.

Mahinda Deshapriya further said that the system can only be changed with new regulations or criteria.

He stressed that the quota provided for youths in the Local Council Elections must be extended to the Provincial and General Elections. 

The former Election Commissioner expressed these views while participating in an awareness programme alongside a group of youths to commemorate International Youth Day.

Mahinda Deshapriya engaged in the event at the Fort Railway Station today, where leaflets were distributed urging youths to vote in elections. (Newswire)

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Former Chairman of the Election Commission, Mahinda Deshapriya has voiced his protest on the delay in holding the local council elections, by displaying banners in front of his residence. 

Deshapriya has voiced his protest against the postponement of local council elections, stating that delaying the elections after calling for nominations due to government influence is akin to waving to authoritarianism.

In his banners, Deshapriya points out that it was a violation of the citizens’ rights for officials to govern in the place of elected representatives. 

The banners can be seen by those travelling along the Ambalangoda – Batapola Road. (Newswire)

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The total number of members of Sri Lanka’s Local Government Authorities has been reduced to 4,714 as per the new Delimitation Report, Chairman of the  National Delimitation Committee Mahinda Deshapriya stated.

The preliminary draft of the report of the National Committee on Delimitation of Divisions for Local Government bodies was handed over to Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena today (11).

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the demarcation of constituencies based on geographical size and population has been listed in the preliminary draft and the said draft is to be forwarded to District Secretaries and political party secretaries shortly.

Religious leaders and various organizations have already submitted proposals to be included in this report. 

Committee Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya stated that the proposals being received for inclusion in the report will be considered until April 30th since the time until then is granted to prepare the final report.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government K. D. N. Ranjith Ashoka, members of the committee, Jayalath Ravi Dissanayake, W.M.M.R. Adhikari, K. Thavalingam, and I.A. Hameed, and Legal Officer Gayani Premathilaka were also present at the occasion of handing over the preliminary report. (NewsWire)

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Former Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya has submitted an application to the National Election Commission.

Speaking to the media, Mahinda Deshapriya stated that he has applied to the National Election Commission as well as the National Delimitation Committee on Demarcation of Wards for Local Authorities.

Deshapriya has applied for the two Commissions after applications were called for by the government to elect new members to various independent commissions, including the National Election Commission. 

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has announced that the acceptance of applications to elect new members to the independent commissions has concluded, and the appointment process will commence soon.

Meanwhile, the Speaker has also made a request from President Ranil Wickremesinghe and subject minister, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena to extend the term of the National Delimitation Committee on Demarcation of Wards for Local Authorities by one month.

Mahinda Deshapriya, who is part of the National Delimitation Committee on Demarcation of Wards for Local Authorities, stated that a request has been made to extend the term of the Committee until 31st march 2023. 

He further stated that an interim report was submitted by the Committee yesterday in which it was pointed out that the number of members elected to the local government bodies per division is less than 3000 and those being elected via the national list are below 2000.

Deshapriya pointed out that it has been estimated that the total number of members to be elected to Local Government bodies will amount to nearly 4850. 

He added that the final report of the National Delimitation Committee on Demarcation of Wards for Local Authorities is expected to be handed over on 31st March 2023. (NewsWire)

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