Delimitation must be in the interest of people and not parties - President

President Maithripala Sirisena says the delimitation of electoral divisions must be done to ensure proper representation of the people of the area in an electorate and not to ensure the victory of a particular political party.

If the delimitation is attempted at a hurried manner, it may not achieve the real objective, he said while presiding over the All Party Meeting on delimitation held at Thalawathugoda yesterday (Dec 11).

Hence it is advisable to take more time and do a proper job, he said.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and representatives from 44 political parties took part in this meeting.

The President emphasized the need for solving the issue of women representation in electoral bodies, pointing out that the country has come under international criticism over this issue.

He said that required amendments must be adopted early to ensure proper women representation.

Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister Faizer Musthapha, Ministers Kabir Hashim, Duminda Dissanayake, Susil Premajayantha, S B Dissanayake, Rauf Hakeem, Mano Ganeshan, Head of Election Commission, Mahinda Deshapriya, officials and party representatives attended the meeting.