The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to entrust the Road Development Authority (RDA) with the rehabilitation of roads currently under other authorities but requiring urgent renovation.

The RDA already holds responsibility for constructing, upgrading, maintaining, and managing the national highway system, including 4th and 5th grade roads, expressways, and related bridges. 

District Coordinating Committees and other institutions had requested that certain roads under provincial and local bodies be handed over to the RDA for repair.

Officials said around 60 such roads belonging to Provincial Councils and local government institutions have been identified. 

To recommend future steps for their rehabilitation, the Cabinet endorsed the proposal presented by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to appoint an officials’ committee.

The committee will comprise representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies; Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development; Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Finance Commission; a Provincial Chief Secretary; Department of Management Services; Road Development Authority; and a Provincial Road Development Authority.

The move is aimed at streamlining road rehabilitation and ensuring consistent standards across the national network. (Newswire)

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A technical report prepared by the Election Commission on enhancing the representation of women and youth in Provincial Council elections was presented to the Parliamentary Select Committee tasked with reviewing the electoral system. 

The committee, chaired by Minister Vijitha Herath, convened recently at Parliament with the participation of Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj, Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, and other caucus members.

The report outlined a framework to increase women’s and youth representation while retaining the existing Proportional Representation system and preserving the current method of determining election results.

Extensive discussions were held on the legal and practical challenges of ensuring representation under the proposed system. The committee agreed to examine these issues further in upcoming sessions.

During deliberations, the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus unanimously emphasized that women’s representation at Provincial Council and Local Government elections must be raised to at least 33%. 

Members stressed that this demand should be a central consideration in shaping the new electoral framework.

The move reflects growing momentum to embed gender and youth inclusivity in Sri Lanka’s political structures, with the Election Commission’s technical input providing a basis for reform. (Newswire)

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Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament today (10) that the funds allocated for the Provincial Council elections have not been diverted for disaster relief purposes.

Addressing the house, she said that all financial assistance provided by donors for disaster‑affected communities and for the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure has been safely deposited in a special account maintained under the supervision of the Deputy Treasury Secretary.

The Prime Minister emphasized that these funds are earmarked for projects identified according to national priorities and needs, and will be utilized with transparency and efficiency.

She noted that the projects primarily focus on providing relief to disaster‑affected people, restoring livelihoods, and rebuilding damaged public infrastructure and essential services. 

PM Amarasuriya added that the management and use of all funds are conducted with the highest transparency, accountability, and in line with good governance principles. (Newswire)

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Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Rathnayake, says a special select committee will be appointed to review the legal situation related to conducting the Provincial Council Elections.

Minister Rathnayake further said that the committee will review and take necessary steps to hold the elections expeditiously.

He made the remarks while addressing the Parliament today. (Newswire)

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The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has called for applications from individuals who wish to contest under the party for the Provincial Council elections.

Issuing a notice, the SJB said applications must include details of the relevant district’s voter registration, permanent residence in the area, as well as personal, educational, political, social and economic information. 

Applicants are advised to send a bio data form with the relevant information, under the headline Provincial Council Application, through registered post. 

The applications are to be sent to the General Secretary, Samagi Jana Balawegaya, No.592, Bangala Junction, Kotte Road, Pittakotte. 

Earlier today, the government announced that the Provincial Council elections will be held next year, but did not reveal a timeframe. (Newswire)

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Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath says the provincial council elections will be held next year.

Addressing the Parliament today, Minister Herath said a decision on the election will be taken following the conclusion of the delimitation process.

“Parliament has a duty regarding the delimitation process. Once it is processed, it will be concluded. There will be a provincial council election next year. Following a discussion on the delimitation process and what system should be followed. Whether, can we go to the previous system or the new system? The Parliament can decide this,” the minister said. 

Minister Vijitha Herath made the remarks in response to questions raised on the Provincial Elections by opposition MPs in Parliament today. (Newswire)

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Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Rathnayake, says the government hopes to conduct the Provincial Council Elections in the first six months of next year.

Addressing the media, Minister Rathnayake said that the Presidential Election was held in November 2024 and the Local Council Election was held this year.

He said, as such, the government hopes to hold the Provincial Council Elections within the first 06 months of 2026.

Pointing out that there were some legal obstacles in this regard, Minister Rathnayake said that the government is confident these can be resolved. 

Minister Rathnayake further said that the government intends to hold the Provincial Council Election before bringing forth a Constitutional Amendment.

“We hope to conduct the Provincial Council Election after which we will decide on implementing a comprehensive political plan for a Constitutional Amendment,” he added. (Newswire)

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Election monitoring body, the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), says the Provincial Council elections, which have been delayed for a long time, must now be conducted promptly.

Issuing a statement, PAFFREL stated that the term of the current Provincial Councils ended on September 20, 2014, and it has been 11 years since then. 

According to the law, Provincial Council elections should be held every six years, but due to various reasons, this has not been implemented. Despite repeated requests from the public, the necessary legal and administrative steps to hold the elections have not been taken.

As such, PAFFREL points out that the delay in conducting the elections has raised concerns among the public and civil society organizations. 

They argue that further postponement would undermine democratic principles and the rule of law. Legal experts have pointed out that the failure to hold elections violates constitutional provisions and democratic norms.

Stating that if the Provincial Council Act or the Provincial Council Elections Act is amended, it could further delay the process, PAFFREL said; however, the primary focus should be on fulfilling the legal requirements to conduct the elections without further delay.

In the meantime, civil society groups and activists have intensified their campaigns, urging the government to take immediate action. They emphasize that holding the elections is essential to ensure public representation and uphold democratic governance. (Newswire)

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The Former Secretary and the former Planning Director of the Provincial Road Development Ministry of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council have been arrested over investigations into a financial fraud of Rs. 71,645,226.32.

The suspects, a 62-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman, both residents of Ratnapura, were arrested on Monday by the Police Financial, Commercial Crimes Investigation Division. 

They have been arrested on charges of signing documents for the release of vouchers related to 77 projects of the Embilipitiya Pradeshiya Sabha for the years 2016 and 2017. 

The suspects have been remanded until 08 May after being produced before the Embilipitiya Magistrate’s Court yesterday. (Newswire)

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A group of 116 former Provincial Council members from key political parties have pledged their support for President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming Presidential Election. 

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the former Provincial Council members are from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and the United National Party (UNP).

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has received increasing support from several politicians ahead of the Presidential Election, scheduled for September 21 this year. 

Ninety-two (92) Members of Parliament extended their support for the President in the upcoming presidential election. The MPs had pledged their support after meeting with President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday. 

Prominent SLPP members, such as Bandula Gunawardena, Kanchana Wijesekera, Prasanna Ranatunga, Kanaka Herath, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, S.M. Chandrasena, and UNP member Wajira Abeywardana are among current Parliamentarians who have pledged their support for the President. (Newswire)

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