• Says will not be swayed by politicos prophesying 
• Notes that funds already allocated via Budget
• Hauls politicos over coals for inappropriate statements

In the wake of recent remarks by Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna General Secretary, Tilvin Silva, that Provincial Council (PC) Elections cannot be held this year, the Election Commission (EC) stated that statements made by various individuals, including politicians, do not matter to the Commission and the Elections would be held once the relevant legal issues are cleared.

When contacted by The Daily Morning yesterday (25), EC Chairperson 

R M A L Rathnayake said they do not take such statements seriously and act only according to the prevailing legal situation. “It is not appropriate for politicians to make statements on this. Statements made by various individuals don't matter to us either. What we do is act according to the legal situation.”

He said that a committee has already been appointed by Parliament to study the matter and recommend solutions regarding the conduct of the long-delayed PC Elections.

Rathnayake also rejected claims pertaining to financial allocations for the PC Elections, noting that financial allocations for the Elections have already been made through the national Budget process. “Every year, we request financial provisions for elections. Last year (2025) too, funds were allocated through the Budget. The Treasury releases the required money when elections are held,” the Commission said.

Speaking to the media in Jaffna, Silva said recently that funds had in fact been allocated last year for the conduct of the PC Elections, but that those funds had later been diverted following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. “We allocated money for the PC Elections in last year’s Budget. Then, Ditwah happened. Around Rs. 500 billion had to be allocated for disaster-related expenses, and the money that had been set aside for the Elections had to be used for that purpose.”  

He further said that legal complications surrounding the PC electoral system, which emerged during former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s tenure, were another reason for the continued delay. “PC Elections have been postponed due to legal issues that arose during Wickremesinghe’s period. We have now appointed a committee to recommend under which law the Elections should be conducted. Once their report is received, we think that the Elections can be held next year (2027) if other issues don't arise,” he added.

An 11-member Special Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) was recently appointed by Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne to examine the electoral system under which the PC Elections should be conducted. The Committee is Chaired by Minister Vijitha Herath and has been tasked with studying the most suitable electoral framework and submitting recommendations to Parliament.

PC Elections have remained stalled for more than a decade due to legal complications linked to amendments introduced between 2015 and 2020. Although a delimitation report required for the Elections was completed and presented to Parliament, it was rejected at the time, resulting in the prolonged delay in holding the Polls.