SLFP push for new electoral system

2 February 2015 03:27 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 7 Bookmark

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Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), as the main opposition, stressed the need for the change of current electoral system to the mix of the First- Past -the Post System and the Proportional Representation System during the 100-day programme of the new government, party officials said yesterday.

Senior SLFP MP John Seneviratne told the Daily Mirror yesterday both the government and the opposition gave an undertaking to enact fresh legislation to provide for such electoral reforms and it would be proper for both sides to honour the pledge.

Mr. Seneviratne said SLFP was ready to cooperate with the new government in the exercise.

“We propose the First-Past the Post System to ensure representation for each electorate. Likewise, a certain quota of MPs should be elected under the Proportional Representation System. That is to ensure representation for minor and minority parties,” he said.

Mr. Seneviratne who is also the Chief Opposition Whip said his party would not mind the extension of the dissolution of Parliament after the 100-day programme for a few more months to find time for the delimitation of electorates under the proposed system.

Earlier, Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) leader Dinesh Gunawardane also pressed for electoral reforms to be implemented under the new regime.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said at that moment that the government would appoint an all-party committee to work in this regard.(Kelum Bandara)

Comments - 7

Cranaelias Monday, 02 February 2015 10:00 AM

Was John Seneviratne sleeping during MR rule that he never pit this out then.

5 44

Mevan Monday, 02 February 2015 10:16 AM

A new sysyemis ok but appoint only educated people with decent backgrounds to contest and this goes for both UNP and SLFP.

0 57

Ranjan Monday, 02 February 2015 10:24 AM

All these guys including Diensh were like lap poodles during MR time. They have now got their voice back. Hypocrites of the highest order.

8 44

Vijith Pieterz Monday, 02 February 2015 11:52 AM

We need only educated people who comes with a decent family back ground. No. culprits like earlier.

4 29

indi Monday, 02 February 2015 01:59 PM

Dinesh was really a lapdog of MR.

4 18

Sri Wickrema Monday, 02 February 2015 02:25 PM

It is up to the voters to select the correct person.

0 13

modi Tuesday, 03 February 2015 02:35 PM

People like Wimal Weerawanse should be never elected to Parliament again.

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