Govt ready for Provincial Council polls, says Minister

The government is ready to hold the Provincial Council elections as soon as the necessary legal and administrative arrangements are completed, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said on Tuesday (25).

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing at the Department of Government Information, Minister Jayatissa said funds had already been allocated for the elections, provided Parliament passes the required legislation and the delimitation process is completed within this year.

He made the remarks in response to a question on a recent statement by Parliamentarian Nilanthi Kottahachchi that the Provincial Council elections would not be held.

Minister Jayatissa said the government had no intention of postponing the elections, but stressed that they could not be conducted without the necessary legal framework.

A parliamentary committee has already been appointed to address the relevant matters, he said, adding that the required legislative process must be completed through the committee.

“If Parliament provides the necessary legislation and completes the delimitation process within this year, funds have already been allocated, and we will conduct the election,” he said.

The Minister urged Parliament to enact the required legislation without delay to enable the elections to be held at the earliest possible opportunity.