SLFP Agrees On New Electoral System

Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Rajitha Senaratne told that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party agreed to a mixed electoral system where 165 Members of Parliament will be elected under the first past the post system while 85 will be elected in proportional representation systems.

Speaking to BBC Sandeshaya, he said that 165 members will be elected from 160 constituencies, since several of them will be multi-member constituencies. He added that 60 MPs will be elected in a District based PR system and 25 MPs will be appointed from the national list. The number of MPs will increase to 250.

Senaratne added that the Elections Commissioner had earlier suggested several alternatives but this is the only system which could be used without redrawing the electoral map. He added that SLFP wants to see the implementation of electoral reforms before the next election so that the election could be held under the new electoral system.