Under the present proportionate representation in Parliament, no major political party can ever form a government without the support of their minority parties. That is the political reality today. As a result, the south is disappointed and frustrated.

Since 1975, the majority community has not taken any steps to interfere in this arrangement. But President Rajapakse’s government is interested in implementing the proposed electoral reforms, although most of the parties in the government’s alliance are opposed to it.

According to the electoral reforms recommended by the Parliamentary Select Committee headed by Minister Dinesh Gunawardene, 140 Members will be elected on the electoral basis, whereas 70 members will be elected on the basis of proportionate representation system. Another 15 will be elected from the national list.

The concern of the minority communities is that even while their parties are in the government, they are unable to ensure the rights of their people. It is their fear that if the proposed electoral reforms come to operation, then the majority parties can form a government without the support of the minority political parties. This can result in the interest of the minority community being ignored and trampled.

Why is this hurry to implement the electoral reforms, when the All Party Conference headed by Minister Tissa Witharane, is striving to find a negotiated political solution to resolve the ethnic problem?

An English translation of the Editorial in Virakesari, a Tamil daily, based in Colombo.

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