Sri Lanka’s government has confirmed that Provincial Council elections, long overdue, will be held by the end of this year, with the official date expected to be announced before June, according to Minister Vijitha Herath. The announcement comes amid mounting international scrutiny and efforts to secure the European Union’s GSP+ trade concessions, which are set to expire this year.
Minister Herath emphasized that Sri Lankan expatriates will be allowed to vote, with a dedicated committee reviewing the methodology for overseas participation. The committee, appointed under his leadership, is scheduled to meet this week, and its final recommendations are expected to be submitted to Parliament before the end of June. Key updates will also be shared during the parliamentary sessions starting this coming Tuesday.
Securing GSP+ benefits requires compliance with 27 conditions, including human rights and good governance measures. Two critical requirements—the holding of Provincial Council elections and the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA)—remain sensitive. While the government is moving forward with the election timeline, the PTA has not yet been repealed, leaving one of the major compliance conditions unfulfilled.
The timing of the announcement is strategic, with the UN Human Rights Council review scheduled in Geneva this September. By revealing the election date ahead of this meeting, the government aims to preempt international pressure, signaling progress on reforms without fully resolving contentious issues such as the PTA.
