Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon Executive Director/ Center for Human Rights and Research (CHR) Sri Lanka

The persistent delay of Provincial Council (PC) elections in Sri Lanka, often attributed to incomplete electoral boundary delimitation, remains a significant concern, as the current government continues this trend. In its 2025 response to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) report (A/HRC/60/21), the government reiterated its commitment to holding PC elections once delimitation is finalized. However, since 2017, successive administrations have used the introduction of a new electoral system and delimitation issues as justifications for postponing these elections. The current government, led by the National People’s Power—which vocally opposed delays in local government elections in 2023–2024—has, for nearly a year, followed a similar path, casting doubt on its commitment to timely democratic processes.

Legal and Political Barriers

The inability to conduct PC elections stems from the absence of an updated electoral law, compounded by past political instability that prevented a Prime Minister-led review committee from submitting its delimitation report to Parliament within the stipulated timeframe. If the government is genuinely committed to holding these elections, it could establish a new review committee under the Prime Minister’s leadership, present recommendations to Parliament within two months, and enact the necessary legislation. Should concerns arise about the legality of such a committee, parliamentary approval could resolve the issue. Alternatively, if the government wishes to hold elections under the previous proportional representation system, it could pass legislation with a two-thirds parliamentary majority.

Urgent Need for Electoral Reform

The core obstacle to PC elections is the lack of a clear electoral law, which only Parliament can address. For nearly a year, the government has made no progress on delimitation, echoing the inaction of administrations since 2018 and providing only a superficial response to the OHCHR report. To honor its commitments, Parliament must enact a clear electoral law for Provincial Councils.

Fulfilling Commitments to the UN and India

The government’s 2025 response to the OHCHR reaffirmed its intent to hold PC elections post-delimitation, addressing concerns about implementing the 13th Amendment. India has consistently urged the timely holding of PC elections under the 1987 Indo-Lanka Accord, which established the PC system to address ethnic tensions. Fulfilling these commitments would enhance Sri Lanka’s international credibility and support reconciliation efforts emphasized by the UN.

Integration with Human Rights Commitments

The OHCHR’s 2025 report (A/HRC/60/21) underscores that holding PC elections is critical to fulfilling Sri Lanka’s human rights obligations, particularly under the 13th Amendment, which promotes devolution to address ethnic and regional grievances. The absence of PC elections since 2018 has hindered reconciliation, especially in the North and East, where devolved governance is vital. By prioritizing elections, the government can demonstrate progress on the UN’s recommendations for accountability, rule of law, and inclusive governance, aligning with commitments to address past violations and impunity.

Challenges with Delimitation

The Delimitation Commission, established in 2015, has been ineffective due to the lack of a clear mandate, leaving unresolved boundary issues related to the police, judiciary, local government bodies, divisional secretariats, village administration units, and sectors such as forest conservation, wildlife, archaeology, and indigenous affairs. A properly empowered National Delimitation Commission is urgently needed to address these challenges in a systematic manner.

Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon

Executive Director/ Center for Human Rights and Research (CHR) Sri Lanka
Rajith_tennakoon@yahoo.com