The former Charman of the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission, Dr. Prathiba Mahanamahewa states that the Election Commission has the authority to take the necessary course of action to conduct an election if the official tenure of a Provincial Council has elapsed.
He stated that the constitution must be amended in order to extend the term of a Provincial Council.
According to article 154/e of the Constitution of Sri Lanka, a Provincial Council term is a period of 5 years, after which, the Council is considered dissolved.
The terms of the Sabaragamuwa, North-Central and Eastern Provincial Councils are due to end on October 01.
Executive Director of PAFFREL, Rohana Hettiarachchi stated that the Minister in charge must take the responsibility of the postponement of elections.
MP Nalin Bandara representing the United National Party (UNP), upon expressing his views on the matter, stated that the election would not be postponed and that the relevant legal issues would be solved during the course of the next few weeks.
