February 18, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission has been officially informed that the Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill has been passed in Parliament with overwhelming support, securing a significant milestone in the legislative process.
The bill was approved without any amendments, and accordingly, will pave the for the much anticipated Local Government Elections.
The Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government confirmed the bill’s passage, with Professor Chandana Abeyratne, the Minister overseeing the department, announcing that the Speaker of Parliament signed the bill into law last night.
This final step confirms the bill’s passage, bringing it one step closer to being implemented.
With the official notification now in the hands of the Election Commission, the necessary preparations for conducting the elections will be set in motion.
The Commission will now begin its work to organise the elections, a key moment for local governance across the country.
During the bill’s third reading in Parliament, it received a resounding 158 votes in favour, with no opposition members casting votes, highlighting the strong bipartisan support for the legislation.
The Supreme Court had previously ruled on the bill, stipulating that two specific clauses required a two-thirds majority in Parliament due to their inconsistency with Article 12(1) of the Constitution. The Court’s interpretation highlighted the need for a special majority under Article 84(2) for clauses 2 and 3, ensuring that the bill met constitutional standards before being passed.
