The delay in holding Provincial Council (PC) Elections in Sri Lanka has sparked concerns among Local Government leaders who emphasise the adverse effects on infrastructure, governance, and public representation. 

The Provincial Councils in Sri Lanka are devolved Government bodies that are responsible for a range of local affairs, including education, healthcare, and infrastructure development. The terms of the Provincial Councils expire every five years, and new elections are supposed to be held within six months of the expiry of the term.

However, the Government has delayed holding the Provincial Council Elections since 2018, citing a number of reasons for the delay, including financial constraints, the need to conduct a delimitation exercise, and the ongoing economic crisis.

The delay in holding the Provincial Council Elections has had a number of negative repercussions. First, it has deprived the people of Sri Lanka of their right to elect their representatives at the provincial level. Second, it has weakened the devolved Government system and made it difficult for Provincial Councils to effectively perform their duties. Third, the delay has contributed to the erosion of public trust in the Government.

Repercussions of the delay 

The following are some of the specific repercussions of the delay in holding the PC Elections:

• Deterioration of public services: The delay has made it difficult for Provincial Councils to plan and implement long-term development projects. As a result, public services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure development have deteriorated in many parts of Sri Lanka.
• Increased crime and violence: The lack of effective governance at the provincial level has led to an increase in crime and violence in many parts of Sri Lanka.
• Growing social unrest: The delay in holding the Provincial Council Elections has contributed to growing social unrest in Sri Lanka. People are frustrated with the Government’s failure to hold elections and address their concerns.
• Weakened democracy: The delay in holding the Provincial Council Elections has weakened democracy in Sri Lanka. It has shown that the Government is willing to violate the fundamental rights of the people and undermine the democratic process.

The Government has announced that it plans to hold the Provincial Council Elections in early 2024. However, there is no guarantee that the elections will actually be held on schedule. The Government has a history of delaying elections and there is no reason to believe that it will not do so again.

Exacerbating local challenges 

These elections are crucial for the effective functioning of regional Government bodies, and the prolonged delay has exacerbated existing challenges, worsened by the ongoing economic crisis.

Former Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Local Government Councillor from the Niyagama Council P.A. Champika Niranjali, who was poised to contest the postponed 2023 Local Government Elections under the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLFP), expressed her concerns to The Sunday Morning: “The main issue is that infrastructure maintenance and development does not take place properly due to the lack of a functioning Provincial Council. The matter has worsened due to the economic crisis and the lack of funding.”

She highlighted the role of Provincial Councils in overseeing regional development and governance.

“Before the economic crisis, the activities of the council were overseen by the governor of the province along with the assistance of former provincial council members. However, it was only limited to the issues that the governor wanted to pay attention to. Here too, it was only possible because of the intervention of former councillors. This shows the need to have functioning Provincial Councils.”

Absence of elected representatives

United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Southern Province Councillor (2015) P. Kumararathna also voiced his concerns.

“Nothing is functioning now; even the Local Government councils don’t function. The economic crisis has resulted in no funds coming from the Central Government.”

While he acknowledged that the administrative apparatus continued to operate, he emphasised the importance of public representation.

“The people have become used to this administrative structure of Provincial Councils. The truth of the matter is that the councils are functioning. The officials, including the ministry secretaries and the governors, are continuing the activities of the Provincial Councils.

“The problem is that there is no public representation in the councils. There has to be public representation. A public representative is more willing to hear the grievances of the citizenry than those in the public service. As a result, the needs of the masses are not heard.”

Additionally, Kumararathna highlighted the challenge posed by the inability to pass new regulations without a functioning council.

“New regulations cannot be passed without a functioning council. What happens now is that the Central Government issues regulations that Provincial Councils are bound to adhere to.”

These insights shed light on the multifaceted impact of the delayed Provincial Council Elections in Sri Lanka. Beyond the immediate consequences, such as stalled infrastructure projects and governance challenges, the absence of elected representatives raises concerns about the functioning of democracy at the regional level. 

While the Government has indicated plans to hold elections in early 2024, it remains to be seen whether these promises will materialise, leaving many Sri Lankans eager for a return to local representation and effective governance.

The Sri Lankan people have a right to elect their representatives at all levels of government. The delay in holding the Provincial Council Elections is a violation of this right. The Government must take immediate steps to hold the elections in a free and fair manner.

Repeated attempts to contact Prime Minister and Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils, and Local Government Dinesh Gunawardana, State Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Janaka Wakkumbura, and the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils, and Local Government Secretary were futile.