Colombo: The last phase of local council
elections would be held in June and not before end of May, a senior minister said here Monday.
Maithripala Sirisena, the minister for health told
reporters that councils for which elections could not be held
on March 17 due to legal snags and councils which terms had
been extended would be held in June.
There are around 70 councils which elections could not be
held due to legal challenges.
Those councils whose terms were extended due to cricket
world cup would now be held in June, Sirisena said.
He said elections for the remaining 133 councils cannot
be held in May due to the religious ceremonies connected with
the 2600th anniversary of Buddhism.
The independent election monitors however say legal
amendment may be necessary to hold elections in June.
The present 2009 electoral register would be valid only
until May 31 they argue.
PTI
