The Court of Appeal today ordered the acceptance of 35 more nominations for the Local Government Elections, which were previously rejected.

Accordingly, the relevant Returning Officers have been ordered to accept the nominations. 

Last week, the Court of Appeal ordered the acceptance of 37 nominations for the Local Government Elections that had been previously rejected.

The orders are being issued as the Court of Appeal delivers its verdicts regarding petitions that were filed on the rejection of nominations for the 2025 Local Government Elections. (Newswire)

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The Court of Appeal has issued an order suspending all election activities related to Local Government Bodies against which petitions have been filed over the rejection of nominations.

Accordingly, the Court of Appeal has suspended election activities for the said Local Government Bodies until tomorrow, 02 April 2025.

It is reported that the court order has been issued after taking up for consideration multiple petitions that have been filed by candidates and independent groups on the rejection of nominations. 

In December last year, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to amend the Local Government Act to allow fresh nominations to be called for the Local Government Election. 

Accordingly, Cabinet approval was granted to cancel the nominations for the Local Government Election that was scheduled to be held in 2023.

The proposal to call fresh nominations was made due to some who had previously submitted nominations having passed away, and some either leaving the country or changing parties. 

However, the decision was challenged in court. (Newswire)

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Chairman of the Commission stated that alternative dates—April 28 and 29—have been allocated for those unable to cast their postal votes on the initially scheduled days. (Newswire)

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The nominations of a German woman with Sri Lankan citizenship contesting from the Galewala area in the upcoming Local Council Elections have been rejected. 

According to reports, the woman was contesting for the Galewala Pradeshiya Sabha in Matale, the first time a person of foreign descent would have contested in Sri Lanka’s Local Council Elections.

After submitting her nominations to contest as a candidate from an independent group, the woman, identified as ‘Sudu Nona’, said she was contesting to bring changes from the grassroots level. 

She told the media that she was representing the working people and her intention was to bridge the gap between the higher-ups and the bottom level in the Galewala Pradeshiya Sabha. (Newswire)

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The Local Government Elections will be held on 06 May 2025, the National Election Commission announced today. 

The announcement was made during a special media briefing held following the conclusion of the acceptance of nominations for the local council elections. 

The acceptance of nominations for 336 local government institutions which commenced on 17 March concluded at 12.00 noon today. 

Meanwhile, the placing of deposits for the election concluded at midnight yesterday (19 Mar). 

According to the Election Commission, a total of 17,296,330 voters have qualified to vote in this year’s Local Council polls. (Newswire)

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The National Election Commission says the date of the 2025 Local Government Elections will be announced today. 

According to the Commission, the date will be announced following the conclusion of the acceptance of nominations which will conclude at 12.00 noon today. 

The acceptance of nominations for 336 local government institutions commenced on 17 March 2025.

Meanwhile, the placing of deposits for the local government elections concluded at midnight yesterday (19 Mar). 

According to the Election Commission, a total of 155,976 new voters are eligible to vote in the upcoming Local Government Elections.

The Commission further said a total of 17,296,330 voters have qualified to vote in this year’s Local Council polls. (Newswire)

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The acceptance of nominations for the 2025 Local Government Elections commences today.

According to the National Election Commission, the nominations will be accepted for 336 Local Councils until 12.00 pm on 20 March 2025.

Candidates have been requested to hand over their nominations without disturbing the GCE Ordinary Level Examinations which commenced today. 

The Election Commission further said the date to conduct the Local Government Elections will be announced following the conclusion of accepting nominations.

Meanwhile, the acceptance of postal vote applications for the Local Government Elections concludes at midnight today.

Eligible applicants who have not yet applied are requested to hand their postal voting applications to the District Election Offices close to their workplaces.

They have been requested to refrain from submitting their postal voting applications to the Post Offices. (Newswire)

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Elections Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake says a total of 155,976 new voters are eligible to vote in the upcoming Local Government Elections.

He said, according to the voters’ list certified on 01 October 2024 and 01 February 2025, the new voters have been registered in addition to those who qualified to vote in the Presidential and General Elections held last year. 

Ratnayake further said that a total of 17,296,330 voters have qualified to vote in this year’s Local Council polls. 

The Election Commission Chairman noted that the acceptance of applications for postal voting for the Local Government Elections was completed on Wednesday (12 Mar). 

He said the Election Commission has also completed all preliminary steps for the 2025 Local Government Elections. (Newswire)

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Former MP Lohan Ratwatte has returned to the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) to contest the 2025 Local Government Elections.

Previously, Ratwatte left the SLPP to extend support to National Democratic Front (NDF) candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe in the 2024 Presidential Election, while he also did not contest the General Elections.

However, addressing the media in Kandy on Monday (11 Mar), Lohan Ratwatte announced his plans to rejoin the SLPP for the Local Government Elections.

The former MP said he was prepared to assume the SLPP leadership for the Kandy District. 

Lohan Ratwatte assured he would make his full contribution to the victory of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna in the upcoming Local Government election. (Newswire)

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National Peoples’ Power (NPP) Mayoral candidate for Colombo Vraie Cally Balthazaar says changes must be implemented in the local government institutions, which are filled with corruption.  

Balthazaar said making changes to the local government institutions was the only way to bring the decisions of the Parliament to the grassroots.

“We changed the Parliament. Now, it is essential to change the system of the local government institutions. I am confident that the people will give us a chance to make that change,” she said. 

Balthazaar made the remarks while responding to reporters on contesting as Colombo Mayoral Candidate in the upcoming Local Government Elections.

Also commenting to the media, Deputy Minister of Public Security Sunil Watagala expressed confidence in Vraie Cally Balthazaar’s victory.

“Not only winning, but she is the next Colombo Mayor,” he added. (Newswire)

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The Election Commission has announced that nominations for the upcoming Local Government Elections will be accepted from March 17 until 12 noon on March 20

Political parties and independent groups intending to contest are required to submit their nominations within this period.

Further details regarding the election process are expected to be announced soon.

The Election Commission also announced that candidates can deposit bonds to contest in the election for 336 Local Government bodies from today (03) until 12.00 noon on March 19, excluding weekends and Poya days. (Newswire)

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Nominees for the Local Government Elections may apply in writing for refunds of their deposits before 28 February 2025 to the district election office, the National Election Commission announced today.

Issuing a statement, the Election Commission said nominees who had placed deposits for the 2023 Local Government Elections can receive their deposits by submitting the deposit receipts to their relevant district election office.

Nominees have been instructed to hand over their deposit receipts along with a written request before 28 February.

The Election Commission has also instructed district election offices to take the necessary steps to refund the funds to eligible nominees without delay. (Newswire)

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The National Election Commission has announced that the Local Council Elections will be conducted soon after the conclusion of the Parliamentary Election.

Issuing a statement, the Election Commission said that the Supreme Court had ordered that the Local Government Elections be held following the Presidential Election.

However, following the newly elected President assuming powers, the Parliament was dissolved and a Gazette was issued calling for Parliamentary Elections. 

Taking into account the current circumstances, the Election Commission said it has to prioritise the Parliamentary Election.

However, as previously decided during the Presidential polls, the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha election will be conducted on 26 October 2024, it said.

The Election Commission assured that respecting the Supreme Court order on Local Council Elections, measures will be taken to hold the election soon after the Parliamentary Election. (Newswire)

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe says he is not sorry about postponing the Local Government Election in 2023, despite the Supreme Council today ruling that the postponement had violated people’s Fundamental Rights. 

The President emphasized that though postponing the Local Government Election violates people’s Fundamental Rights, he was not sorry because the time was spent ensuring the right to life and committed to protecting both the right to vote and live.

The President made the remarks at the National Conference of the New People’s Front at Maharagama YSC Auditorium today.

The President’s comments came after the Supreme Court ruled that the President, as the Minister of Finance, and the members of the Election Commission had violated the fundamental rights of voters through the postponement of the 2023 Local Government Elections.

The Supreme Court also ordered the National Election Commission to take measures to hold the postponed Local Government Elections, immediately. (Newswire)

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Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake says the Election Commission accepts the Supreme Court’s ruling on the postponement of the Local Government Elections. 

Speaking to the media today, Ratnayake said that upon receiving the Supreme Court’s determination in full, the Election Commission will convene and take a decision on the next steps to be taken concerning the election. 

Responding to allegations that the Election Commission had failed to carry out its duties due to political influence, Ratnayake refuted the claims, stating that the Election Commission had tried its best to find a way to hold the election under the presented circumstances.

Saman Sri Ratnayake reiterated that the Election Commission had continued to try its best to hold the Local Government Election during the specified period and that the issue had arisen when funds were not allocated for the election. 

The Commissioner General of Elections pointed out the Supreme Court’s determination would further strengthen the powers of the Election Commission, as well as other independent commissions going forward. 

His comments came after the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka today ordered the National Election Commission to take measures to hold the postponed Local Government Elections, immediately.

The court also ruled that the fundamental rights of voters have been violated through the postponement of the 2023 Local Government Elections.

Issuing its verdict on the case today, the Supreme Court ruled that the President, as the Minister of Finance, and the members of the Election Commission had violated the fundamental rights of voters.

The Supreme Court issued the verdict after taking up for consideration the petitions that were filed by several parties, including the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), National Peoples’ Power (NPP), and the People’s Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL), on the postponement of the Local Council polls.

The National Election Commission initially scheduled the Local Government polls for March 9, 2023, but later postponed them to April 25, 2023. However, the elections were not held after the government cited a lack of funds due to the country’s recovery from its economic crisis. (Newswire)

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The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has ordered the National Election Commission to take measures to hold the postponed Local Government Elections, immediately.

The court also ruled that the fundamental rights of voters have been violated through the postponement of the 2023 Local Government Elections.

Issuing its verdict on the case today, the Supreme Court ruled that the President, as the Minister of Finance, and the members of the Election Commission have violated the fundamental rights of voters.

The Supreme Court issued the verdict after taking up for consideration the petitions that were filed by several parties, including the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), National Peoples’ Power (NPP), and the People’s Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL) on the postponement of the Local Council polls.

The National Election Commission initially scheduled the Local Government polls for March 9, 2023, but later postponed them to April 25, 2023. 

However, the elections were not held after the government cited a lack of funds due to the country’s recovery from its economic crisis. (Newswire)

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe has directed Premier Dinesh Gunawardena to explore the possibility of invalidating the nominations for the postponed 2023 Local Government elections.

Cabinet Spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardena disclosed that the government has sought legal advice from the Attorney General regarding this matter.

Minister Gunawardana made these comments responding to questions by journalists at the Cabinet media briefing, inquiring if the government plans to hold the LG polls before the Presidential election.

Refuting such reports, the Minister said that the possibility of invalidating the LG poll nominations were discussed at the Cabinet Meeting on Monday.

“This was discussed in light of various concerns pointed out by government employees who had submitted nominations,” he said, adding that the advice of the Attorney General has been sought over the matter.

 The President had also instructed to hold discussions with the Attorney General, political parties and the Election Commission to hold the local government polls next year. (Newswire)

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Former Chairman of the Election Commission, Mahinda Deshapriya has voiced his protest on the delay in holding the local council elections, by displaying banners in front of his residence. 

Deshapriya has voiced his protest against the postponement of local council elections, stating that delaying the elections after calling for nominations due to government influence is akin to waving to authoritarianism.

In his banners, Deshapriya points out that it was a violation of the citizens’ rights for officials to govern in the place of elected representatives. 

The banners can be seen by those travelling along the Ambalangoda – Batapola Road. (Newswire)

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The Ministerial Consultative Committee has unanimously consented to cancelling the nominations submitted for the Local Government Elections.

According to a Parliament statement, the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils & Local Government has unanimously consented to cancel the nominations given that those who have submitted nominations have faced great difficulties due to the postponement of the elections.

The unanimous consent was given at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils & Local Government held yesterday (Sep 20) in Parliament Chaired by Prime Minister and Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Dinesh Gunawardena.

A discussion was held regarding the obstacles faced by the field officials to run for elections in their electorate and the current status regarding the amendment to the relevant Act to remove such obstacles. The officials present stated that according to the instructions received by the Attorney General, if an amendment is required to revert a legislation to its former state, a 2/3 majority and a referendum is required for the said purpose.

Furthermore, a progress review regarding systematizing the transferring of Secretaries to the Provincial Councils, and the transferring of Divisional Secretaries as mentioned in the service constitution was discussed at the Ministerial Consultative Committee meeting.

Attention was also drawn to the fact that provincial council government officials are not placed with due diligence. Accordingly, the Prime Minister also emphasized that the transfers of all administrative officers including divisional secretaries should be done properly.

Given that there is no new decision on making new recruitments to the public service at the moment, and since there are vacancies in the provincial and overall public service, considering the already existing employees who have passed the Management Service officer to grade III limited competitive examination to fill the existing vacancies was also discussed at the Committee meeting.

State Ministers including Janaka Wakkumbura, Ashoka Priyantha, the Leader of the Opposition MP Sajith Premadasa, Members of Parliament and officials representing the respective institutions and departments were present before the Ministerial Consultative Committee. (NewsWire)

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