An expert committee appointed to review public submissions on electoral reforms has submitted its report to the Parliamentary Select Committee tasked with reviewing election laws, excluding legislation relating to Provincial Council elections.
The report was handed over to the Select Committee Chairman, Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Prof. A.H.M.H. Abeyrathna, following an examination of proposals submitted by members of the public, institutions and organisations.
The expert committee was tasked with conducting an in-depth review of 31 proposals on electoral reforms, alongside reports of previous parliamentary select committees that had examined election-related matters, and preparing a comprehensive report on its findings.
The committee comprises Ashoka Peiris, Chairman of the Salaries and Pensions Commission; Saman Sri Rathnayake, Chairman of the Delimitation Commission; Prof. Chaminda Abeysinghe, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Kelaniya; Dr. K. Thavalingam, a member of the Delimitation Commission; and P.S.M. Charles, former Governor of the Northern Province.
Commenting on the submission, Prof. Abeyrathna said separate reports had been prepared and submitted to the Select Committee on the various issues and themes raised by institutions and organisations that had presented proposals.
He said several registered political parties had also submitted their views and recommendations on the proposed review of election laws.
The Select Committee expects to examine all submissions received from the public, institutions, organisations and political parties before presenting an interim report to Parliament within two months, he said.
Prof. Abeyrathna added that members of the public would be given a further opportunity to submit amendments and new proposals even after the interim report had been presented to Parliament.
Meanwhile, the Select Committee has decided to extend by a further two weeks the deadline for registered political parties to submit their views and proposals on the review of election-related laws, excluding those governing Provincial Council elections.
The committee also decided that members of the expert committee, appointed to examine public submissions, could submit proposals in their individual capacities, should they wish to do so.
A media briefing was held following the meeting, with the Chairman and committee members outlining the decisions taken and updating the public on the progress of the review process.
Those attending the meeting included Select Committee members Minister Dr. Upali Pannilage; Deputy Ministers Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala and Muneer Mulaffer; and Members of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake, Harshana Rajakaruna, J.C. Alawathuwala, Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan, Ruwanthilaka Jayakody, Chandima Hettiarachchi and Attorney-at-Law Thushari Jayasinghe, among others.