🗳️ 25% Women’s Quota Proposed for Sri Lankan Provincial Councils

A Parliamentary Select Committee on electoral reforms, chaired by Minister Vijitha Herath, has discussed legally guaranteeing that women account for at least 25% to 33% of the total membership in Provincial Councils. The meeting with the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus focused on elevating female and youth representation in future local governance. • Key Representation Proposals: The Caucus argued for a mandatory seat allocation rather than just candidate list inclusion. Discussions included mechanisms to ensure a minimum 25% or alternate 33% female composition in the overall councils. • Electoral System Adjustments: Proposals include making female and youth inclusion mandatory on candidate lists if proportional representation returns, introducing specific constituencies reserved for women, and resolving legal hurdles in constituency delimitation to support a mixed electoral system. • Youth & Implementation Focus: The framework actively prioritizes strengthening youth representation and underscores the critical need to hold the long-delayed Provincial Council elections without further postponement. _Provisional Note: These proposals are being reviewed for inclusion in the Select Committee's final report on the future electoral system._