After nearly five years, Sri Lanka is finally preparing to hold local government elections. Initially scheduled for March 9, 2023, the elections were postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. A second date, April 25, 2023, was also set, but the elections were delayed once again.
The previous government made over 30 attempts to postpone the elections, resulting in significant financial losses. The Election Commission wasted more than Rs. 131 million spent on election-related activities. The estimated cost for holding the elections in 2023 was Rs. 9,326 million, but the failure to proceed has left the administration of 336 local government institutions in the hands of special commissioners instead of elected representatives.
Currently, the power of 28 Municipal Councils has been transferred to municipal commissioners, while 36 Urban Councils and 272 Pradeshiya Sabhas are under the control of their respective secretaries. The only exception is the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha in the Galle District, which remains operational.
In April 2022, nominations were called to elect 8,711 members for 340 local government institutions. A total of 80,672 candidates submitted nominations, including approximately 3,000 public servants. However, the Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government reports that around 8,000 candidates have either migrated or passed away, while over 2,000 candidates have switched parties.
Following recent legislative amendments in Parliament, all previous nominations and deposits were invalidated. This has empowered the Election Commission to call for new nominations and set a fresh date for the long-awaited local government elections.
