Port City residents have no place to vote in local council elections

Residents of the Colombo Port City remain unable to vote in local council elections, violating their fundamental rights, warned Member of Parliament S.M. Marikkar, Chairman of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development.

During a recent meeting with officials, Marikkar pointed out that although Port City residents are registered under the Colombo District, they possess no venue to cast ballots in local council polls.

"If there is a presidential or parliamentary election, they can cast their ballots under Colombo District. But in a local council election, they have no place to vote. This is a violation of their fundamental rights," he stated, adding that creating a separate local council specifically for the Port City may be necessary.

Officials noted that a 2019 Gazette issued by the Minister of Internal and Home Affairs and Provincial Councils and Local Government incorporated Port City land into the Colombo Administrative District under Section 3 of the Administrative Districts Act No. 22 of 1995. They argued that this inclusion resolves concerns regarding district-level representation.

Marikkar countered that whilst the Gazette guarantees inclusion for islandwide and district elections, it fails to address the lack of local authority representation. He cautioned that taking the matter to court could delay the Port City project.