Four Opposition Members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Provincial Council Elections today boycotted the Committee’s tenth meeting, citing frustration over the lack of seriousness and urgency in advancing the long‑delayed polls.
The boycott was led by MPs Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Mano Ganesan, Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, and Nizam Kariapper, who expressed strong concern about the manner in which the Committee’s proceedings were being conducted.
Speaking on behalf of the Opposition Members, MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam told the Committee that they could no longer support a process which, despite ten meetings, has failed to produce meaningful progress towards holding Provincial Council elections.
He noted that practical solutions are already before the Committee. The Election Commission has presented a clear proposal to conduct elections under the existing proportional representation system, with a guarantee of 25% representation for women.
In addition, a Private Members’ Bill presented by Rasamanickam relating to the conduct of Provincial Council elections is already on Parliament’s Order Paper, offering a legislative pathway if a majority of Members agree.
“These options are already before Parliament. What is required now is not further delay, but the political will to make a decision and take concrete steps towards holding the elections,” Rasamanickam said.
The Opposition Members also pointed out that the National People’s Power’s 2024 Presidential Election Manifesto explicitly committed to holding Provincial Council and Local Government elections within one year of assuming office, a pledge set out on page 128 of the manifesto.
Provincial Councils have remained without elected representatives for several years, denying citizens their democratic right to elect provincial representatives. The Opposition Members stressed that this situation cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely.
They called upon the Government and the Select Committee to immediately take concrete steps, with a clear timeframe, towards conducting the elections.
Rasamanickam warned that if the Committee fails to demonstrate serious political commitment, the four Opposition Members will be compelled to take “a very serious decision,” though he declined to disclose its nature at this stage. (Newswire)
