PAFFREL Says Successive Governments Delayed Provincial Council Elections, Urges Action

PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi says earlier administrations failed to make a genuine effort to hold Provincial Council elections, while calling on the current government to make urgent decisions to end the prolonged delay.

The PAFFREL organisation has criticised successive governments for failing to hold Provincial Council elections in Sri Lanka, while stressing that the present administration must now take responsibility for ensuring that the polls are held.

Speaking at a media briefing, PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi said the prolonged delay in conducting Provincial Council elections began under previous administrations and was linked to decisions taken in 2017 concerning the electoral system.

He noted that some Provincial Councils, including those in the Eastern and North Central provinces, last held elections in 2012. As a result, voters in those areas have gone many years without an opportunity to elect Provincial Council representatives.

Hettiarachchi said the current government should not be held solely responsible for creating the problem. However, he stressed that it now has a responsibility to resolve the issue and fulfil its commitments on holding elections.

He pointed out that the government had pledged to conduct both Local Government and Provincial Council elections during the initial period of its administration. Although Local Government elections were held, he said there had not yet been sufficient political commitment to move forward with Provincial Council elections.

Electoral system remains a key issue

Hettiarachchi said a committee had been appointed to determine the electoral system under which Provincial Council elections should be conducted. Its main responsibility was to consider whether the elections should be held under the previous proportional representation system or the proposed mixed-member proportional representation system, which has been delayed by issues relating to electoral boundary delimitation.

According to him, the committee was initially expected to complete its work within three months, but its timeline was extended on two occasions. He questioned whether the repeated extensions reflected the familiar practice of delaying difficult political decisions.

He also acknowledged the Election Commission’s technical and administrative work in preparing for the elections, including measures relating to women’s representation and the calculations required under different electoral systems.

However, he emphasised that political parties must reach agreement on the electoral method so that the necessary decisions can be made without further delay.

Calls for inclusive electoral reforms

The PAFFREL executive director also highlighted the importance of protecting the voting rights of Sri Lankan citizens living overseas.

He said millions of Sri Lankans work abroad and contribute to the country through foreign exchange earnings. He argued that these citizens should also have a fair opportunity to participate in democratic decision-making, including determining who represents them.

Hettiarachchi said electoral reforms should therefore be considered more broadly, while ensuring that practical and administrative arrangements are addressed.

Elections could be possible in early 2027

Hettiarachchi said that if the committee and government made timely decisions on the electoral system, Provincial Council elections could potentially be held in the first half of 2027.

He urged the authorities to treat the matter as a decision that requires political commitment rather than allowing it to remain trapped in committees and procedural delays.

He added that holding elections would provide political parties with an opportunity to rebuild public confidence and demonstrate their commitment to democratic representation.

PAFFREL’s position is that while previous administrations bear significant responsibility for the prolonged postponement, the current government must now act decisively to restore the public’s opportunity to elect Provincial Council representatives.