Tilvin Silva, the General Secretary of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) says that there is a suspicion that the government will postpone the local government elections.
He says the will of the people should be fairly represented in the formulation of a new electoral system. He further stated that he had submitted proposals to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Electoral System Reform regarding the principles that should be taken into consideration in formulating an electoral system.
Mr. Silva also said that although his party had criticisms of the provincial council system, the provincial council elections should be held in accordance with the constitution and a serious attention should be given during the elections to the people who are helpless due to the Covid epidemic and economic hardships.
He said this was in the meeting with the JVP during the second discussion in a series of discussions between PAFFREL and other political parties (10).
He suggested to PAFFREL that there should be a public debate on the priorities that the citizen should be aware of in voting. Mr. Tilvin Silva pointed out that PAFFREL has the opportunity to do so and that such a dialogue could be a great boost to democracy in the country, adding that many citizens have fallen victim to the current corrupt political culture.
Mr. Tilvin Silva further stated that politics should be transformed from a racket to a public service and that it could be initiated by implementing the deprivation of all privileges of politicians, including pensions and vehicle licenses. During the discussion, more attention was paid to the electoral system and the book compiled on the PAFFREL proposal submitted to the Parliamentary Select Committee to amend the electoral system in Sri Lanka was also presented to the JVP.
PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi, Vice President K..N. Dean, National Coordinator Sujeewa Gayanath, General Secretary of the JVP Tilvin Silva and Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala also participated in the discussion.