Election System Must Be Reformed in Sri Lanka: Commissioner General of Elections

09-Jul-2025

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Plans are underway to address shortcomings identified during the presidential, general, and local government elections, and we continue to emphasize that the electoral system must be reformed,” stated Saman Sri Ratnayake, Commissioner General of Elections.

When asked about the Election Commission’s future plans, he said: “The Election Commission bears the responsibility of protecting the people’s fundamental right to vote. We operate strictly in accordance with the constitutional mandate to hold elections on time. Within a nine-month period, we successfully conducted the presidential, general, and local government elections. We have observed some shortcomings in these elections. Proper plans have been formulated to address these issues in future polls. We have repeatedly presented proposals to parliamentary committees and cabinet subcommittees emphasizing the need to reform the electoral system. We are firmly committed to ensuring that these reforms are implemented in a practical manner. The public must also pay greater attention to the electoral process. We notice that many people simply believe, ‘The election is over; we voted.’ Citizens must stay engaged with the process to ensure the selection of the best representatives.”