Commission led by ex-CJ appointed to prepare proposals for electoral reforms

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has issued a Gazette notification appointing a nine-member Commission of Inquiry headed by former Chief Justice Priyasad Dep, in order to prepare proposals for electoral reforms.

The members of the commission include: 
1. Justice Wewage Priyasath Gerard Dep, PC - Retired Chief Justice 
2. Suntharam Arumainayaham 
3. Senanayake Alisandaralage 
4. Nalin Jayantha Abeysekara, PC 
5. Rajitha Naveen Christopher Senaratna Perera 
6. Ahamed Lebbe Mohamed Saleem 
7. Sagarica Delgoda 
8. Esther Sriyani Nimalka Fernando 
9. Vitharanage Deepani Samantha Rodrigo 

Meanwhile, the relevant gazette notification mentions that new laws have been introduced effecting changes to the election system and the mode of conducting elections of the country with the promulgation of the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka, and that such laws need to be amended to suit current societal needs by conforming with principles of good governance and strengthening representative democracy.

“There is a tendency on certain occasions for political parties, independent groups and their membership to engage in unbecoming behaviour in their political and public affairs and in inappropriate media use, a need has arisen to introduce a code of conduct and media standards”, it added.

Furthermore, it has been mentioned in the gazette notification that due to the registration of political parties without an actual need for the purpose of transference to other parties for financial gains and other improper objectives, as well as certain other activities of political parties, the public trust in such political parties has eroded, and therefore, there is a need to restore trust and accountability by strengthening the legal framework for registration and operation of political parties.

The President also states in the relevant gazette notification: “I am of the view that it is necessary that a Commission of Inquiry be appointed to investigate, inquire into and report on matters hereinafter referred to”.

Thereby, the members of the aforesaid commission have been authorized and empowered to hold all inquiries and make all other investigations, into the relevant matters as may appear necessary. 

Meanwhile, the report pertaining to the relevant findings of inquiries and investigations, and the recommendations of the committee relating to the matter has been asked to be submitted within 06 months.