Parliament’s select committee reviewing Sri Lanka’s election laws has appointed an expert panel to analyse 31 reform proposals submitted by individuals and organisations, according to a statement from the Department of Communication of Parliament.
The decision was taken at a recent meeting at Parliament chaired by Prof. A.H.M.H. Abayarathna, Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government. The committee’s mandate covers election laws excluding those dealing with Provincial Council elections.
What the committee is weighing
Members held what the statement described as extensive discussions drawing on the reports of earlier parliamentary select committees on electoral reform issued in 2004, 2007 and 2022, alongside the 31 new submissions.
Among the proposals under consideration are a mixed electoral system for local government elections, measures to secure representation for minority parties and minority groups, an increase in women’s representation, the introduction of electronic voting, and facilities for early voting.
The committee also examined proposals to grant voting rights to Sri Lankans living overseas, and emphasised that the legal and administrative provisions required to implement such a system need further study.
Next steps
The expert panel will review the 31 proposals together with the previous select committee reports and prepare a report setting out practical recommendations. The committee decided it would consider those recommendations before taking further action.
The meeting was attended by committee member Minister Dr. Upali Pannilage and MPs Ravi Karunanayake, Ruwanthilaka Jayakody and Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan.
The committee held its first meeting in May, when it agreed to invite public views on local, parliamentary and presidential polls. The 31 submissions now before the expert panel are the product of that call.
Sources: Ada Derana.
