The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, I move that the Bill be now read a second time.

¶ 02 By way of clarification, this Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill is presented because the local authorities election that had been fixed for 9th March 2023 was postponed without just cause. Nominations had been called and accepted, and a date fixed. Despite all prerequisites being complete, the then Government claimed a lack of necessary provisions — raising a serious question of fairness — and postponed the election. A further date in April was set but that election too was not held. Citizens protested in various ways against this anti-democratic postponement; we recall that during those protests even a life was lost. In that context, the Opposition and other parties petitioned the Supreme Court. The Court held that fundamental rights had been infringed and ordered that the election be held at the earliest possible time. However, with the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections approaching, there was no opportunity to conduct it. Accordingly, there is a pressing need to re-hold the deliberately postponed local authorities election.

¶ 03 A practical issue arose: whether the old nomination lists could be accepted as they stood, and how to secure the franchise and candidacy rights of new voters and prospective candidates who came of age in 2023–2024. Therefore, with the agreement of all party leaders on 25th November 2024 — following our taking oaths on 21st November — we resolved to cancel the old nominations and call fresh nominations. This Bill is brought on that all-party understanding. We tabled the Bill in January; a 14-day period for public objections ensued, and several petitions were filed before the Supreme Court. After the Court’s determination was communicated, we discussed the matter last Friday, and we can now proceed on the basis of that consensus.

¶ 04 Local authorities deliver essential daily services to citizens at village and urban level. The last local authorities election was in 2018; the next was due in 2022, but the then Minister lawfully deferred it by one year — yet thereafter it was delayed for two more years without a date, violating fundamental rights and leaving institutions without elected representatives, forcing administration by officials alone. It is urgently necessary to restore elected representation.

¶ 05 Sri Lanka has a deep history of grassroots governance dating back to Anuradhapura, with organized local administration ensuring civic services — an ethos we must revive. The aim of this Bill is simply to cancel the earlier nominations and allow fresh nominations, reflecting the common understanding among party leaders. The Supreme Court has issued its determination; I will not revisit it. I urge the House to pass this amendment unanimously. Thank you.

¶ 06 Question proposed.