Sri Lanka's legendary cricket captain wants local government elections postponed until after the World Cup

Sri Lanka's World Cup winning cricket captain turned politician Arjuna Ranatunga urged the President and the Minister of Sports not to hold the local government elections parallel to the World Cup 2011 to be played partially in the island.

Ranatunga, a legislator from the opposition party Democratic National Alliance (DNA) said the political clashes during the election campaign might affect the image of the country if the elections are held parallel to the World Cup.

The veteran cricketer and politician made this request as speculations were widespread that the government would dissolve the local councils this month and would hold elections in March.

The government earlier said it will dissolve all the local bodies on January 10 and hold elections in mid-March.

However, the government did not table the local government amendment bill in the parliament as scheduled today.