The Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa

¶ 01 On behalf of the Hon. Leader of the House, I move the following Motion:

¶ 02 “Whereas the delimitation process required to operationalize the ‘mixed proportional representation system’ introduced by the provisions of the Provincial Councils Elections (Amendment) Act, No. 17 of 2017, amending the Provincial Councils Elections Act, No. 2 of 1988, has not yet been completed, and as a result all Provincial Councils are currently functioning without elected representatives;

¶ 03 And whereas the Special Select Committee of Parliament appointed in 2022 by the Ninth Parliament to identify the structure of elections and necessary reforms, discussed the need to draft legislation to operationalize the ‘mixed proportional representation system’ introduced by Act No. 17 of 2017, by carrying out the required delimitation according to the ratios specified therein, and although recommendations were made to enact legislation to enable the holding of Provincial Council elections under a proportional representation system, only eight Members of the Committee comprising seventeen Members signed the Committee report which was tabled in Parliament on 22nd June 2022;

¶ 04 And whereas the report under Standing Order 52(6) of Parliament, pertaining to the Provincial Councils Elections (Amendment) Bill presented for the First Reading on 05th June 2025, was tabled in Parliament on 19th November 2025 by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government;

¶ 05 And whereas there is a diversity of views regarding the appropriate electoral system under which the Provincial Council election should be conducted, and since public discourse on electoral systems has broadened and deepened after 2017, there should be an extensive dialogue to design an electoral system, including ensuring mandatory women’s representation, youth representation, expenditure limits, the mixed proportional representation system, the right to pre-poll declarations, and affirming the right of overseas Sri Lankans to vote;

¶ 06 This Parliament resolves that a Parliamentary Select Committee be appointed to look into and report on the electoral system under which the Provincial Council elections should be held and to submit its proposals and recommendations.

¶ 07 2. (a) The Speaker shall nominate the Chairperson and Members of the Committee; and (b) In terms of Standing Order 101, the Committee shall consist of not more than twelve (12) Members.

¶ 08 3. The Committee shall have power— (a) to fix its quorum; (b) to summon any person before the Committee, to call for documents or records, and to receive evidence, oral or written, as the Committee may determine necessary for the comprehensive study of the aforesaid matters; (c) to obtain the services of persons with expertise in relevant fields and of professionals, for the work of the Committee; and (d) to present interim reports; and, notwithstanding any prorogation or dissolution of Parliament, to meet from time to time.

¶ 09 4. The Committee shall report to Parliament within three (03) months from the date of its first meeting or within such extended period as may be determined by Parliament.”

¶ 10 Question put, and agreed to.