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PCs amendment laws: Party leaders meet tomorrow to decide  

18 Apr 2021

  • Concerns on May Day, current political situation to be raised 

 By Yumiko Perera    A party leaders’ meeting will be held tomorrow (19) under the patronage of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, with a view to reaching a consensus on the draft of the Provincial Councils (PCs) Elections (Amendment) Bill.  Key governmental factions are yet to reach an understanding on the PC elections, especially concerning how the polls should be held.  Speaking with The Sunday Morning, Co-Cabinet Spokesman Udaya Gammanpila said: “The party leaders’ meeting will be held in order to reach a consensus on the draft PCs Elections (Amendment) Bill.”  In reply to a query with regard to what other issues would be raised at the said meeting, Gammanpila added: “If and when the party leaders come to a collective agreement concerning the issue at hand, they may also raise other topics.”  Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General Secretary and State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara, speaking to The Sunday Morning, added: “The party leaders’ meeting would be held tomorrow concerning the PC elections. We would be discussing as to how the elections would be held. While we do not plan on having it under the existing system (proportional representation), we are willing to opt for a new system (including the first-past-the-post system), as even the pradeshiya sabhas operate on a newer electoral system.”   Jayasekara also mentioned that he planned on raising certain queries with regard to the May Day rallies, as well as the current political situation within the country, at the party leaders meeting to be held tomorrow.  Efforts made by The Sunday Morning to contact Democratic Left Front Leader and Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara and National Freedom Front Leader and Minister Wimal Weerawansa to gain more insights into the issue at hand proved futile.     


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