Local government election amendment bill in Sri Lanka parliament on This October 06

Sri Lanka government sources say the draft bill for amendment of local government elections that would introduce the first-past-the-post electoral system to hold elections for local government institutions will be tabled in parliament on October 06.

In line with the bill, amendments to the Municipal Council Ordinance, Urban Council Ordinance and the Pradeshiya Sabha Act, will also be presented to the Parliament.

The government expects to get the bill passed in parliament as an urgent bill.

Sri Lanka’s major opposition United National Party has expressed consent to some of the amendments but they have proposed other amendments as well, government sources say.

The government expects to introduce a mixture of first-past-the-post system and the proportional representation to local governments.

Under the proposed amendments two-thirds of the members are to be elected on the first-past-the-post system and one-third under the PR system.

On the recommendation of Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils A. L. M. Athaullah, the Cabinet on September 8 granted approval to amend the Local Government Elections Ordinance and the Municipal Council Ordinance, Urban Council Ordinance and the Pradeshiya Sabha Act.

According to government sources the local government election would be held early next year.

Source From - http://www.colombopage.com/