Sri Lanka’s Election Commission has announced a reduction in the number of Members of Parliament (MPs) representing the Jaffna electoral district, lowering the total from 7 to 6.
This adjustment affects the Jaffna electoral district, which encompasses the administrative districts of Jaffna and Kilinochchi, in the Tamil homeland. The change will take effect in the upcoming general election, set for November 14, where only 6 MPs will be elected from this district.
Though the reduction is purportedly because of changing population figures, the shrinking number of parliamentary seats raises concerns about the further dilution of Tamil political influence in a system already perceived to be dominated by Sinhala-majority politics.
Jaffna, along with Kilinochchi, was among the areas hardest hit during the armed conflict, with the local population still subjected to severe repression and an ongoing military occupation.
In 2011, Jaffna lost 4 seats, whilst in 2012 the Vanni district lost another.
Both Gampaha and Kalutara have gained a seat each according to the election commission.
