he long-delayed Provincial Council (PC) elections will not be held this year as funds earmarked for the polls had to be redirected towards disaster relief following the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva said.

Speaking to journalists after the opening of the NPP coordination office in Jaffna on Saturday, Silva said budgetary allocations had initially been made for the Provincial Council elections. However, he said the Government was compelled to divert resources for relief efforts, with nearly Rs. 500 billion required to address disaster-related needs.

He also pointed to legal issues surrounding electoral reforms as another factor behind the delay, noting that a parliamentary committee had been appointed to determine the electoral system under which the Provincial Council elections should be conducted.

According to Silva, if the committee submits its report and no further complications arise, the elections could possibly be held next year.

Responding to questions on whether the Government was facing pressure from India to hold Provincial Council elections soon, Silva denied such claims, stating that Sri Lanka and India maintained close and friendly relations with a strong level of mutual understanding.

Silva also said the Government had taken steps to strengthen reconciliation and development in the Northern Province, including the release of lands previously occupied by military camps and improvements to road infrastructure.

He added that community empowerment initiatives were being carried out under the Praja Shakthi programme, while Sri Lanka and India continued to cooperate closely.