Nominations for Sri Lanka's local government polls open on January 20

Nominations for the 308 dissolved local government bodies will be accepted from January 20 - 27 at relevant District Secretary's offices, Election Department has told the local media.

The Sri Lankan government on Thursday night terminated the term of office for 308 local government bodies out of the total of 330 institutions.

Minister of Local government and provincial councils Mr. A.L.M Athaulla had issued the gazette notification in this regard yesterday.

The government said until the completion of elections, Divisional Secretaries and Local Government Commissioners will be appointed as Competent Authorities to administer the dissolved councils by the President under the powers vested in him through the Constitution.

Elections are expected to be held for the dissolved bodies on or around March 12th. The Election Commissioner is to take the final decision on the date of election.

Minister Athaulla said that elections for 18 Municipal Councils, 2 Urban Councils, and 42 Pradeshiya Sabhas will be held on a later date.

The government has decided not to hold elections for Colombo, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, Kolonnawa and Dehiwala Mount Lavinia Municipal Councils due to the World Cup cricket tournament.

According to the government, the term of office of the local government bodies had ended on the 15th of April 2009 but under a directive form the President the term has been extended by one year up to March 31, 2011. New members should be elected to these local government bodies before the April 1, 2011.

Independent groups contesting the local government polls are required to deposit Rs. 250 per candidate before 12 noon of January 26.