Ready to hold Provincial Council elections if Opposition agrees on electoral system: PM

28 November 2023 04:46 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 18 Bookmark

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By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana

Parliament, Nov. 28 (Daily Mirror)- The Government is prepared to hold the delayed Provincial Council elections if the Opposition agrees on the electoral system, Prime Minister Dinsesh Gunawardene told Parliament today.

“Opposition MPs are making a different proposal on the system under which the Provincial Council elections are to be held. We can hold the elections if they agree on the system under which the Provincial Council elections are to be held,” the Prime Minister said.

“Some Opposition members say the Provincial Council elections should be held under the old system and others under the new system. A constituency system is also important. No party has come to an agreement at the select committee on the Provincial Council elections,” he said.

“Those who call for the holding of Provincial Council elections are the ones who approved the amendment to the Provincial Council Elections Ordinance which pushed the holding of election into a deadlock,” he added.

Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP J.C. Alawathuwela said their party is for holding the Provincial Council elections under the old system.

“We will support it if an amendment is introduced to hold the Provincial Council elections under the old system,” Kiriella said.

Comments - 18

BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 28 November 2023 04:55 PM

If this fellow opens the mouth or does any thing, it is not for the benefit of the country. Ask this fellow, how long he has been in Politics and what is one Single achievement he has made that has benefitted this country and her citizens while obtaining all the best benefits from the Public while holding this office.

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Jayantha Tuesday, 28 November 2023 05:01 PM

Instead keep the general election Mr kayiwaru.

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Mahila Tuesday, 28 November 2023 07:14 PM

There is another 1 1/2 years for that!!!

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Buddhist Tuesday, 28 November 2023 05:22 PM

Rubber Stamp Prime Minister is a slave of the President and will never move forward to conduct the PC elections.

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N V Jen Tuesday, 28 November 2023 05:29 PM

Under whatever the system, reduce the number of councilors, as not much has come out from these bloated councils. Similarly number of MP's and local councilors too should be reduced.

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Wiraj Tuesday, 28 November 2023 05:32 PM

You are saying this prime minister. But Ranil will then appoint a committee to recommend a suitable method, whose report will never see the light of the day.

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The walking dead Tuesday, 28 November 2023 06:00 PM

Is this man really alive? If so he appears to be brain dead.

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ChildOfGod Tuesday, 28 November 2023 06:27 PM

COUNCIL Elections why was the OLD SYSTEM changed? so, palms can be oiled, transport can be organized? It is easier to dupe some in the villages and remote areas, we have seen it in the past!! If this hoodwinking does not STOP the Country will go even further down the SEWER that was created by dishonest politicians who feathered their NESTS and did not give a RATS TAIL about its Citizens.

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Premalal Perera Tuesday, 28 November 2023 06:33 PM

The Boralugoda Hivala has has forgotten that his government held the last PC elections under the previous system so why not do the same. What was good then should be good now.

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Uncle Paradise Tuesday, 28 November 2023 06:52 PM

You don't need blessings of opposition to do anything. Just hold elections under current system. If you want to change it, bring a bill to parliament and change it.

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roni Tuesday, 28 November 2023 07:44 PM

Do not worry about what system under any method you have no right to be there as you are. 60 . Fix a few more overseas trips on public cost before you will be history.

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Zaza Tuesday, 28 November 2023 07:58 PM

Mr. Prime Minister, why try to play cricket on a dead wicket? Let us have the Parliamentary Election that will decide on the destiny of the dying nation.

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Karalasingam Sivalingam Tuesday, 28 November 2023 07:59 PM

Opposition should be little considerate and agree to hold provincial council elections. "Make Hay, while the Sun shines".

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Ram Wednesday, 29 November 2023 04:55 AM

PM is talking nonsense. The system is in the law until the law is amended. Provincial elections is embedded in the Constitution. Not holding is a violation of the Constitution. Hold the election as per the current laws if parties cannot agree on amendments.

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Man Wednesday, 29 November 2023 09:27 AM

First, hold the overdue local government election. In the meantime, the provincial election act can be amended, simply to stick to the previous system. They don't have any will to have any election. Otherwise, they would have done the amendment without asking for views from anybody like on the PTA and Social Safety Act. Just to console people, yet again with fake speeches.

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Ah Wednesday, 29 November 2023 11:44 AM

Go with FIFP with all elections like good old days; prior to JR

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Cherath Wednesday, 29 November 2023 01:18 PM

This is laughable. Having called for nominations and accepting deposits Ranil the Almighty declared there's no election to postpone followed by declaration of 'No Money'. Now, Dinesh G says he is ready to hold elections if opposition agrees on electoral system! So what was the actual reason for not having the Provincial elections? Or is this another ploy to divert people's frustration on mounting struggle to live the day? Also, Dinesh what happened to your Marxist policies, Leninism, Trotskyism and struggle against capitalism? Aren't you now a mere lap dog of a brutal capitalist?

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Janatha Senagama Wednesday, 29 November 2023 03:03 PM

There is no heaven like SL until.....! Enjoy Dinesh - The water pot is boiling!

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