By Saman Indrajith
The TNA registered its protest in Parliament yesterday when Jaffna District MP M.A. Sumanthiran’s Private Member’s Bill to amend the Provincial Councils (PC) Elections Act to enable the conduct of the PC polls was put off. MP Sumanthiran stated that the Bill had now been published in the government Gazette.
Sumanthiran criticised the government’s delay in taking up the Bill for debate. He accused the President of failing to deliver on promises made to the Tamil people.
He warned that if the government opposed the Bill, such action would amount to ignoring the interests of the Tamil people.
If the Bill was passed by Parliament, it would help amend the existing Provincial Council Elections (Amendment) Act No. 17 of 2017 and hold the PC polls under the previous electoral system.
Sumanthiran’s motion to amend the PC Elections Act was initially published in the government Gazette on October 11, 2019. Leader of the House, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha, said he personally approved the content of Sumanthiran’s motion. “It is because of another motion brought during the Yahapalana era that we are currently in a dilemma regarding Provincial Council elections. Sumanthiran’s motion aims to resolve this deadlock. We all agree with his intention. He raised this issue at the Business Committee meeting. My position is that we must allocate time for a debate on this matter. Sumanthiran should first secure the support of the Opposition for a debate. If there is agreement among the Opposition parties, we are ready to allocate time,” Premajayantha said.
SLPP dissident MP Dayasiri Jayasekera: “The main issue is that we have not been able to hold Provincial Council elections for seven to eight years. Sumanthiran’s motion should be considered for the Third Reading. We can debate it and resolve the issue so that PC elections can be held.”
Chief Opposition Whip and SJB Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella added: “The Leader of the House agreed to take up this motion and set today as the date. We are prepared to contest the Provincial Council elections under the previous electoral system. The motion could be debated. I am asking whether you will bring this Bill up for debate or not.”
Leader of the House Minister Premajayantha responded: “We must listen to MP Gevindu Kumaratunga before making that decision.”
MP Kumaratunga said that many MPs in the House had previously supported postponing the Provincial Council elections, arguing for a new electoral system. He questioned whether Parliament should revert to the previous system after remaining silent for seven to eight years. “Are we mad to act in this manner? Candidates make promises here and there, saying one thing in the South and another in the North. We oppose this and demand that a new government with a new mandate address this matter.”
SLPP dissident MP Dullas Alahapperuma: “President Ranil Wickremesinghe stopped funds allocated to MP Rishard Bathiudeen after he decided to support another candidate.
This is another attack on democracy.”
NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa argued that the Bill should not be debated now but after the elections.
Leader of the House Minister Premajayantha replied: “Parliament is scheduled to meet on October 8 after the presidential election. We can address this matter then. The person elected with the new mandate will make the decision. If we pass this today or tomorrow, could we set dates for Provincial Council elections without considering the presidential elections scheduled for September 21?” he asked.
