Punchihewa (Chairmen), Mr.S.B.Divaratne (Member), Mr.M.M.Mohamad (Member), Mr.K.P.P.Pathirana (Member) and Mr.J.Thyagarajah (Member) were appointed for a five year term by His Excellency the President of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The Mission of the Commission
Raise critical consciousness among all stakeholders, ensuring the protection
of people’s rights and conduct free, fair an
d credible elections efficiently and
effectively that safeguard the people’s sovereignty and universal franchise
based on democratic principles
Goals
• All qualified citizens exercise their franchise fearlessly, freely and confidentially in elections conducted in a free and fair manner.
•The citizen realizes that the exercise of franchise is an inalienable right and involves himself or herself in the election process actively.
•Equal and fair opportunities exist for all candidates during election periods.
•An all-inclusive, updated voter list is in place before every election.
•All citizens in the marginalised sectors of society engage in the electoral processes confidently and adequately.
•The election process is administered competently and transparently.
•The needs of the stakeholders for data and information related to the election process and the Election Commission are adequately fulfilled in a timely manner. History
The Soulbury Commission was appointed in 1944 by the British Government. The Soulbury Commission recommended, was introduced in 1946 to provide for the conduct of elections to Local bodies. The Department of Parliamentary Elections functioned under a Commissioner to register voters and to conduct Parliamentary interalia, legislation to provide for the registration of voters and for the conduct of Parliamentary elections, and the Ceylon (Parliamentary Election) Order of the Council, 1946 was enacted on 26th September 1946. The Local Authorities Elections Ordinance elections and the Department of Local Government Elections functioned under a Commissioner to conduct Local Government elections. The “Department of Elections” was established on 01st of October 1955 amalgamating the Department of Parliamentary Elections and the Department of Local Government Elections. Accordingly, the Department of Elections was assigned with the responsibility of taking action to avoid ineligible persons from being registered in the register of electors. Since The Department functioned as an independent body without being subject to the purview of any ministry. With the passage of 19th Amendment to the Constitution the Department of Elections ceased was absorbed into the Election Commission without any impediment to the service conditions
applicableto them. Compared with the Department of Elections, the Election Commission is assigned a broader responsibility and duty.
