Sri Lanka — Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Act 2022 / Northern Provincial Council Elections

Summary

The 2022 Amendment postponed local authority elections that were due in 2022; the Northern Provincial Council, representing the Tamil-majority north, has not had elections since 2018. The systematic delay of elections in Tamil-majority areas is characterised by diaspora organisations as a form of denial of internal self-determination and political participation.

Relevance to the diaspora

Tamil diaspora advocacy highlights the denial of elections in the Northern Province and other Tamil-majority areas as evidence of the Sri Lankan government's failure to provide meaningful internal self-determination; this denial is relied upon in remedial secession arguments under UNGA 2625.

Key provisions

• 2022 Amendment — postponement of local authority elections
• Northern Provincial Council elections last held 2018
• 13th Amendment Art. 154B — requirement for regular provincial elections

Primary source

Related entries

• → 13th Amendment to the Sri Lanka Constitution 1987 (Provincial Councils) (LK)
• → UNGA Resolution 2625 (XXV) 1970 — Friendly Relations Declaration (UN)
• → Remedial Secession Doctrine (Academic/Customary International Law) (UN)