PR system appropriate for country

On Oct 8, 2021

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) testified before the Select Committee of Parliament to Identify Appropriate Reforms of the Election Laws and the Electoral System and to Recommend Necessary Amendments Thursday (07) that the Proportional Representation (PR) system is appropriate for the country.

The party pointed out that the PR system could ensure fair representation of the people and that people’s vote would add value under this system.

The Parliamentary Select Committee met under the chairmanship of the Leader of the House, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

The SLMC said the new amendments should ensure the establishment of stable Governments as well as the establishment of democracy.

They also stressed that the new amendment should provide representation, based on the geographical boundaries of the island. The people will be able to elect their representatives through the preferential voting system. The party also raised the need to make the ballot paper easy for the people to understand. They also said that the stability of the electoral system is an essential factor.

The party members informed the Committee that the SLMC was of the view that new amendments should be made to the current system without changing the PR system.

The All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) also testified before the Parliamentary Select Committee yesterday. They said that the electoral system should be amended to protect the rights of minorities. The party pointed out in the Committee that the PR system is more suitable for the country and that it will strengthen the representation of the people. The party also stated in the Committee that the PR system should be used for Local Government, provincial council and Parliamentary elections.

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) also testified before the PSC. They said that the PR system is suitable for the country. If the amendments are made by changing the principles of the PR system, the executive presidency will also have to be amended, said MP Vijitha Herath. MP Dr. (Ms) Harini Amarasuriya, pointed out in the committee the need to take action to ensure women’s representation. She also suggested that 50 per cent of the national list should be women.

She emphasized that women’s representation should be ensured at all levels of decision making and that women’s representation in politics has been reduced due to the prevailing political culture.

Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, M.U.M Ali Sabry, Members of Parliament Rauff Hakeem, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Mano Ganeshan, M.A Sumanthiran, Madura Vithanage and Sagara Kariyawasam were also present at the committee meeting.