Debate and Vote on Aug. 24

He said the SLFP Central Committee chaired by President Maithripala Sirisena at its meeting last week unanimously decided to hold the PC polls under the new electoral system.

Three PCS, Eastern, North-central and Sabaragamuwa are being administered by governors of the respective provinces, since their tenure expired in September 2017 while the term of office of three other provincial councils -- Central, Northern and Wayamba will end in September.

The elections will be held to all 6 PCS on a single day in January next year. The minister said the SLFP had almost completed the reorganization of the party.

“Executive committees of the party at electoral division level have almost been completed. In the Eastern province the process is a bit slow but we expect to meet the gap soon. Selecting candidates for the PC polls will be started shortly from among young professionals and other educated and leading social figures. The SLFP would ensure to give more opportunities to educated young women and their 25% representation in the new PCS,” Minister Samarasinghe stressed.

The Minister said the joint opposition’s attempt to elect the Leader of the Opposition from among their members after resigning from the UPFA will not be successful as they will all lose their Parliamentary membership soon after they resign from the party.

Executive committees of the party at electoral divisions level have almost been completed. In the Eastern province the process is a bit slow but we expect to meet the gap soon. Selecting candidates for the PC polls will be started shortly from among young professionals and other educated and leading social figures