report in The Morning, Oct 10, 2022
According to a press release issued by the Presidential Media Division (PMD) yesterday (9), President Ranil Wickremesinghe is to appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to decide on the Parliamentary voting system by July next year, with the next General Election to be held under the new system.
This virtually rules out the possibility of Parliament being dissolved, or an election being held, in the first half of 2023, despite the President being vested with the powers to dissolve Parliament by February next year under the 19th Amendment to the Constitution .
President Wickremesinghe yesterday (9) said that a referendum will be called to decide on the Parliamentary electoral system if the PSC that is proposed to be established fails to reach a decision on the matter by July next year.
“I discussed this matter with Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe (PC) as well. We will propose a PSC to decide on the Parliamentary voting system. That committee has to convene and discuss the matter. This matter cannot be delayed, because a decision should be taken by July next year; failing which, I will opt for a referendum to seek public opinion on which electoral system is preferred,” he added…..
https://www.themorning.lk/president-hints-election-unlikely-before-july-2023/
