Government Attempting to Postpone Provincial Council Elections: SLPP

04-Jan-2026

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While the government claims that Provincial Council elections will be held this year, it is making various attempts to continuously postpone them, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said.

He made these remarks to the media following a meeting with party members held at the SLPP headquarters on Jan 2.

He stated that responsibility for the indefinite postponement of Provincial Council elections, which should have been held on time under the Constitution, lies with the former “good governance” government leaders, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Tamil National Alliance, and the faction of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa.

He alleged that during the good governance period, deliberate legal complications were introduced into the Provincial Council Elections Act out of fear of the SLPP’s growing political influence, creating confusion over the electoral system under which elections should be held.

He added that elections were held on time under the Rajapaksa administrations regardless of victory or defeat, noting that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa proceeded with Provincial Council elections despite knowing the party would suffer defeats in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

Although the government claims elections will be held this year, he stressed the need for them to be conducted without further delay, stating that the SLPP is ready for elections.