August 18, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is poised to embark on a significant constitutional reform process following the anticipated Provincial Council Elections, according to a statement made by Minister Bimal Rathnayake during a briefing in Kilinochchi yesterday (17).
The Minister confirmed that the long-delayed provincial elections are now expected to take place within the first half of 2026, provided the remaining legal impediments are addressed in time.
He acknowledged that although parliamentary elections were held in 2025 and presidential polls took place in November 2024, provincial-level representation has remained in limbo due to unresolved legal and procedural complexities.
“Our intention is to ensure that the Provincial Council Elections are held by mid-next year,” Rathnayake stated. “There are still legal and regulatory challenges, but the necessary groundwork is being laid to overcome these obstacles.”
According to Rathnayake, once the elections are completed, the government plans to initiate a broad and inclusive process of constitutional reform. He confirmed that a formal policy decision has already been made at the cabinet level to draft a new constitution, though he underscored that such a task cannot be rushed and will require wide-ranging political engagement and public consultation.
He further noted that the constitutional reforms will go beyond mere amendments, hinting at a deeper restructuring of the existing framework to reflect the evolving aspirations of the people and the need for more accountable and decentralised governance.
