The government has stirred controversy with its latest move to overhaul the parliamentary election system. Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has submitted a Cabinet paper proposing amendments to the Parliamentary Elections Act, aiming to introduce a mixed electoral system. This system would see 160 MPs elected through the First Past the Post (FPTP) method and another 65 through proportional representation (PR).

The FPTP system awards seats to candidates with the most votes in individual constituencies, while PR allocates seats in proportion to parties' overall vote shares. While some political parties have expressed support for the proposed changes, others remain skeptical. Minister Rajapakshe, currently in London, highlighted the varied responses from political factions during discussions.

This initiative isn't new; previous governments have attempted similar electoral reforms without success due to political disagreements. Proportional representation, the current system, has faced criticism for its perceived electoral irregularities. The timing of the proposed changes, just ahead of elections, has prompted speculation within political circles about the government's motives.