Another setback for PC polls as delimitation committee report is rejected by Parliament

Colombo (News 1st) -  The Delimitation Committee Report on Provincial Councils was defeated in Parliament today. The report received 139 votes against and none in favor. Chief Opposition Whip, Anura Kumara Dissanayake speaking in Parliament on Friday (Aug 24th), stated that this report should have been taken up for debate on the 8th of April, as the act clearly states the report should be debated within a month of the act being passed.  Anura Kumara noted that the Government had delayed this report by 5 months and questioned why this was done? Faiszer Mustapha, Minister of Provincial Council and Local Government responded to MP Anura Kumara stating that the legality of the report is not thrown into doubt because of the delay. The Minister noted that while he presented the act on the 8th of March, the party leaders failed to debate among themselves and present it to Parliament for the past 5 months. Leader of the House, Min. Lakshman Kiriella also echoed the sentiments of the subject minister stating that according to the traditions of Parliament, the chamber could vote on the report. The JVP leader stepped in and questioned whether Min. Kiriella and the UNP group would vote for this report, he noted that they won't because they are in an attempt to postpone the elections and revealed that this is exactly what will happen if this report is defeated. Min. Mustapha revealed that if the report is defeated they will enter the appeals process which will take place under a committee of 5 headed by the Prime Minister.