The report compiled by the Delimitation Appeals Committee was handed over to the Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government, Faiszer Mustapha.

The Delimitation Appeals Committee was appointed on November 1, 2015 under the leadership of Ashoka Pieris.

The committee consist of Attorney-at-Law Saliya Mathew representing the United People’s Freedom Alliance, Attorney-at-Law A. S. M. Misbar representing the United National Party, Attorney-at-Law Upul Kumarapperuma representing the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and P. Balasundaram representing the Tamil National Alliance.

There were several delays in handing over the report on previous occasions due to various reasons.

However, the report was handed over on Tuesday, January 17,  with the signatures of all members.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Faiszer Mustapha said that the report will be gazetted as soon as possible after rectifying mistakes such as the spelling mistakes and that they have presented the 56 amendments prepared by the cabinet sub committee.

The Chairman of the Delimitation Appeals Committee Ashoka Pieris said that there are some administrative tasks to perform on the report and that they will complete everything within the month of January and close the office.

The member of the committee representing the UNP has submitted a footnote for assessment.

“There is a footnote in this. When preparing the report, we had to follow some simple principles according to its mandate. And those were the number, name boundary of a division. But during the process, certain public representatives presented external factors. For example, they would request us to make a Pradeshiya Sabha an Urban Council. We mentioned the shortcomings that we came across but which are beyond our authorization. So this footnote is regarding that”, he said.

A journalist asked minister Faiszer Musthapha, as to when is he planning to hold the elections.

Minister’s response : “The Elections Commissioner is the one who decides the time period after this is being gazetted”.

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