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The Cabinet has decided to constitute the Constitutional Council together with the Police and Elections Commissions under the 17th Amendment to the Constitution before the Local Government election.

"This is an important matter to do with the vitality of the country's democratic process," Cabinet spokesman Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said yesterday.

He said the institutions and structures necessary to accomplish this objective under the 17th amendment should be put in place first. " We will start by constituting the Constitutional Council and then we will be in a position to set up both elections and Police Commissions."

The Government of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is quite determined to ensure that both Elections and Police commissions are in place by March for the local polls. "The Government is working according to a clear-cut time table."

The fullest cooperation of all political parties represented in Parliament is necessary for this step, said Prof. Peiris. He added that with their full agreement, the Government will set up these bodies to ensure unity and integrity with regard to the electoral process.

Minister said the 17th Amendment empowers the Elections Commissioner to appoint a Competent Authority for the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation and the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation. "There were circumstances where his directives were violated. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the procedures and the powers applicable to this Competent Authority."

Minister Peiris said he would present legislation in Parliament next week in this regard. "This Competent Authority can exercise his powers only during an election period. After the election, he will have no role."

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