Colombo
Sri Lanka’s local council elections are expected to take place early next year, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath confirmed on Saturday. The election, which was originally due in March 2023, had been delayed due to the country’s ongoing economic crisis.
Herath explained that while there were no funds allocated for the election this year, preparations would begin in the coming months to ensure the election takes place early next year. This will be the third nationwide election since September, following the parliamentary elections and a local council election held in late September.
The delay of the local council election had sparked controversy. The government had cited financial difficulties caused by the economic crisis, but the Sri Lankan Supreme Court ruled that the failure to hold the election violated fundamental rights. The court ordered the election to be conducted as soon as possible.
The Election Commission, which had previously stated that arrangements for the local election would begin after the November 14 parliamentary election, is set to meet on November 27 to finalize the plans.
Around 340 local councils across the country will go to the polls to elect members for a four-year term. The last local election was held in February 2018.
