2018 Sri Lankan local elections

Last updated

2018 Sri Lankan local elections
Flag of Sri Lanka.svg
←  2011 10 February 2018 Next  →
8,327 [lower-roman 1] seats across 340 local authorities
Turnout79.94%
 First partySecond partyThird party
  Mahinda Rajapaksa.jpg R Wickremasinghe.jpg Maithripala- Russia (portrait).jpg
Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa [lower-roman 2] Ranil Wickremesinghe Maithripala Sirisena
Party SLPP UNF UPFA
Seats beforeNew1,157 [lower-roman 3] 2,639 [lower-roman 3]
Popular vote5,006,8373,640,6201,497,234
Percentage40.47%29.42%12.10%
Councillors3,4362,4331,048
Local Authorities231349
 Fourth partyFifth party
  AnuraKumara.jpg R. Sampanthan.jpg
Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake R. Sampanthan
Party JVP TNA
Seats before74282 [lower-roman 3]
Popular vote710,932337,877
Percentage5.75%2.73%
Councillors434417
Local Authorities041

Local elections were held in Sri Lanka on 10 February 2018. [3] [4] 15.7 million Sri Lankans were eligible to elect 8,327 [lower-roman 1] members to 340 local authorities (24 municipal councils, 41 urban councils and 275 divisional councils). [5] [6] It was the largest election in Sri Lankan history. [5] [7] This was also the first election under the mixed electoral system where 60% of members were elected using first-past-the-post voting and the remaining 40% through closed list proportional representation. [8] [9]

Contents

In a surprise result, the newly formed Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, led by former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, came first, winning 40% of the votes and securing the most number of seats and local authorities. [10] [11] [12] The United National Front led by Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe came second with 29% of the votes whilst the United People's Freedom Alliance led by President Maithripala Sirisena came third with 12% of the votes. [12] However, most local authorities were hung with no overall control. [13] [14]

Background

The last major round of local government elections was held in 2011 when elections were held in 322 of the then 335 local authorities. [15] Elections to two other local authorities in Mullaitivu District were due but were repeatedly postponed due to alleged delays in resettling internally displaced persons following the end of the civil war in 2009. [16] [17] Elections to the remaining 11 local authorities were not due as they had their last election in 2008 or 2009. [16] [18] Since 2011 six new local authorities have been created (1 MC, 5 DC) taking the total number of local authorities to 341 (24 MC, 41 UC, 276 DC). [19] [20] [21] [22]

The normal term of a local authority is four years but the law allows the central government to extend this by a further year. [23] [24] The term of the 234 local authorities (3 MC, 30 UC, 201 DC) that had their election on 17 March 2011 was due to expire on 31 March 2015 but on 27 March 2015 their term was extended to 15 May 2015. [25] [26] [27] These 234 local authorities were then dissolved and their administration placed under special commissioners appointed by the government. [28] [29] The term of the 65 local authorities (1 MC, 9 UC, 55 DC) that had their election on 23 July 2011 expired on 31 July 2015 after which their administration was placed under special commissioners. [30] [31] The term of the 23 local authorities (16 MC, 1 UC, 6 DC) that had their election on 8 October 2011 was due to expire on 15/31 October 2015 but in October 2015 their term was extended to 31 December 2015. [32] [33] This was subsequently extended to 30 June 2016. [34] [35] These 23 local authorities were then dissolved and their administration placed under special commissioners. [36] [37] [38]

On 10 October 2012 Parliament passed the Local Authorities (Special Provisions) Act, No. 21 of 2012 and Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Act, No. 22 of 2012, changing the electoral system for electing local authority members from open list proportional representation (PR) to a mixed electoral system whereby 70% of members would be elected using first-past-the-post voting (FPTP) and the remaining 30% through closed list PR. [39] [40] [41] [42] The number of local authority members was increased significantly from around 4,500 to 8,000. [43]

A five member National Delimitation Committee headed by Jayalath Dissanayake was appointed by Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils A. L. M. Athaullah on 12 December 2012 to demarcate the new local authority wards. [44] After much delay the committee's final report was handed over to Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Faiszer Musthapha on 19 June 2015. [45] The committee recommended that the number of members elected using FPTP be increased by 595 to 5,081. [46] On 21 August 2015 a gazette was published detailing the wards. [47] [48] The new wards received more than 1,000 complaints and as a result the government appointed the Delimitation Appeals Investigation Committee headed by Ashoka Peiris to review the complaints. [45] [49] The appeals committee's report was handed over to Musthapha on 17 January 2017. [50] [51] The revised ward details were gazetted on 17 February 2017. [52]

In February 2016 Parliament passed Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Act, No. 1 of 2016 requiring 25% of candidates at local elections to be female. [53] [54] [55] Small parties and those representing ethnic minorities complained that the new mixed electoral system put them at a disadvantage and as a result the government agreed to change the ratio between FPTP and PR. [56] [57] [58] On 25 August 2017 Parliament passed Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Act, No. 16 of 2017 which, amongst things, changed the ratio between FPTP and PR from 70:30 to 60:40. [59] [60] [61]

On 15 November 2017 six voters filed a petition with the Court of Appeal challenging the legality of the gazette on demarcation of wards issued in February 2017, affecting 208 local authorities. [62] [63] On 22 November 2017 the Court of Appeal suspended the implementation of the gazette until 4 December 2017, preventing elections from being called to the 208 local authorities. [64] [65] Nominations to 93 local authorities not affected by the petition were called by the Election Commission on 27 November 2017. [66] [67] Nominations to 40 other local authorities not affected by the petition could not be called due to errors in the gazette. [68]

The legal petition was withdrawn on 30 November 2017 following which the Court of Appeal rescinded the suspension of the gazette. [69] [70] The gazette correcting the errors in respect of 40 local authorities was published on 2 December 2017. [71] Nominations to the remaining 248 local authorities were called by the Election Commission on 4 December 2017. [72]

Prior to the election

Opinion poll conducted by the Centre for Policy Alternatives revealed Fifty-six percent of respondents said the coalition government should not continue. Specially 63 percent of majority Sinhalese respondents. [73]

Sri Lankan recent election results
Dates of elections United People's Freedom Alliance United National Party Tamil National Alliance Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Independents
Votes %Votes %Votes %Votes %Votes %Votes %
Local election 2011 4,821,20356.45%2,710,22231.73%255,0782.99%242,5022.84%140,7271.65%219,9982.58%
Presidential election, 2015 5,768,09047.58%6,217,16251.28% [lower-roman 4] －－－－－－－－
Parliamentary election, 2015 4,732,66442.38%5,098,91645.66% [lower-roman 5] 515,9634.62%543,9444.87%44,1930.40%42,8280.38%
Sri Lankan political map prior to this election
Presidential election, 2015 Parliamentary election, 2015
Wahlbezirkskarte Praesidentschaft Sri Lanka 2015.svg Sri Lankan parliamentary election, 2015 - polling divisions.svg
Elected members of each electoral district or municipalities, gaining the highest number of votes:

Details

Nominations

Nominations to 93 local authorities (7 MC, 18 UC, 68 DC) without any legal issues took place between 11 and 14 December 2017. [74] [75] 523 nominations (466 form registered political parties, 57 from independent groups) were received of which 500 were accepted (447 form registered political parties, 53 from independent groups) and 23 rejected (19 form registered political parties, 4 from independent groups). [76]

Nominations to the remaining 248 local authorities (17 MC, 23 UC, 208 DC) took place between 18 and 21 December 2017. [77] [78] 1,582 nominations (1,399 form registered political parties, 183 from independent groups) were received of which 1,553 were accepted (1,379 form registered political parties, 174 from independent groups) and 29 rejected (20 form registered political parties, 9 from independent groups). [79] [80]

On 18 December 2017 the Election Commission announced that elections to all 341 local authorities would be held on 10 February 2018. [81] [82] Around 13,000 polling stations were used. [83] [84] The election is expected to cost around Rs. 4 billion and required 300,000 staff, including public sector employees. [7] [8] Postal voting has taken place on 25 and 26 January 2018. [85]

On 30 January 2018 the Supreme Court issued an injunction preventing election in Elpitiya DC following a petition by the Democratic United National Front against the rejection of their nomination list. [86] [87]

Calculation of seats

60 percent of the seats in each local government authority were elected under the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system. The candidate who receives the most votes were declared the elected representative. The other 40 percent of seats were elected based on the proportion of votes received by each contesting political party or independent group. To complete the seat calculation, the district returning officers first counts the total number of valid votes cast and divides that number by the total number of seats up for election in a given local authority. This number represents the average number of votes cast per seat (X). To identify the number of seats a political party or independent group gained (Y), the district returning officer then takes the total number of valid votes a party or group received in the local authority and divides that by the average number of votes per seat (X). Finally, to account for seats already won through the FPTP system, the district returning officer takes the total number of seats a political party or independent group gained (Y) and subtracts the total number won through FPTP. The result is the number of seats a political party or group is entitled to under the proportional representation system. [88]

Parties

United People's Freedom Alliance

The main constituent party of the United People's Freedom Alliance, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, underwent a split not long before the election, as SLFP MPs loyal to former president Mahinda Rajapaksa broke away from the SLFP to create a political front of their own. [89]

The UPFA subsequently contested for some seats as an alliance while the Sri Lanka Freedom Party contested alone in others, with both being led by incumbent president Maithripala Sirisena. This marks the first time since 1991 that the SLFP contested under their own election symbol. [90] [91]

United National Front

The ruling United National Front, led by the United National Party's Ranil Wickramasinghe contested under the elephant election symbol, bringing together constituent parties including the Jathika Hela Urumaya led by Champika Ranawaka, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress led by Rauff Hakeem, and the Tamil Progressive Alliance led by Palani Digambaran. [92] [93]

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) led by former president Mahinda Rajapaksa contested with the flower bud as their election symbol, winning the majority of the seats up for election and control over most of the island's local authorities. [94]

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna contested in this election as well.

Results

The elections resulted in parties winning an absolute majority of seats in only 141 of the 340 local authorities - Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) in 126 LA's, United National Front (UNF) in five, independents in two, National Congress in two, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in two, United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) in two, Ceylon Workers' Congress (CWC) in one and Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) in one. [95]

The remaining 199 LA's were hung with no overall control. Of these, the SLPP was the largest party in 95 LA's, TNA in 36, UNF in 29, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress in four, UPFA in four, Independents in three, CWC in two, Tamil National People's Front in two, EPDP in one, United Lanka Great Council in one, Muslim National Alliance in one, Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal in one and Tamil United Liberation Front in one. The remaining 19 LA's were tied (SLPP/UNF in nine LA's, ACMC/UNF in two, TNA/TMVP in two, CWC/UNF in one, SLFP/SLPP in one, SLMC/SLPP/UPFA in one, SLMC/UNF in one, TNA/UNF in one and UNF/UPFA in one).

National

Summary of the 2018 Sri Lankan local elections [95]
Alliances and partiesVotes%SeatsLA's
WardPRTotal
 5,006,83740.47%3,2551813,436126
 3,640,62029.42%8721,5612,4335
 1,497,23412.10%2048441,0482
  Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna 710,9325.75%14334340
 337,8772.73%389284172
  Independents 374,1323.02%931812742
 85,1980.69%45571020
  Eelam People's Democratic Party 74,1280.60%4157981
 72,4930.59%2256780
  Sri Lanka Muslim Congress [lower-alpha 6] 92,8970.75%4429730
 85,4370.69%2144650
  Ceylon Workers' Congress [lower-alpha 9] 100,6410.81%3821591
Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal [lower-alpha 3] 44,0620.36%1423370
50,9740.41%224260
  No overall control 199
Valid Votes12,372,816100.00%5,0743,6348,708340
Rejected Votes210,9701.68%
Total Polled12,583,78679.94%
Registered Electors15,742,371
Footnotes:
    1. ↑ The DLF contested separately in one LA and with the SLPP in other LA's.
    2. 1 2 The LSSP contested separately in 12 LA's and with the SLPP in other LA's.
    3. 1 2 The TMVP contested separately in eight LA's and with the SLPP in other LA's.
    4. ↑ The UNFGG contested under the name and symbol of UNP.
    5. 1 2 The ACMC contested separately in 37 LA's and with the UNF in other LA's.
    6. 1 2 The SLMC contested separately in 46 LA's and with the UNF in other LA's.
    7. 1 2 The TPA contested separately in 14 LA's and with the UNF in other LA's.
    8. ↑ The UPFA contested under the UPFA name in 208 LA's and SLFP name in 120 LA's.
    9. 1 2 The CWC contested separately in 12 LA's and with the UPFA in other LA's.
    10. 1 2 The NC contested separately in 10 LA's and with the UPFA in other LA's.
    11. ↑ The TNA contested under the name and symbol of ITAK.
    12. ↑ The TNPF contested under the name and symbol of ACTC.
    13. ↑ The TPA contested under the name and symbol of UPA.

District

Districts won by SLPP
Districts won by TNA
Districts won by UNF
District results for the 2018 Sri Lankan locan elections [95]
Dis Pro Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna United National Front United People's Freedom Alliance Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna Tamil National Alliance Turnout
Votes%SeatsVotes%SeatsVotes%SeatsVotes%SeatsVotes%Seats
WPRTWPRTWPRTWPRTWPRT
AMP EA 88,09822.15%964100114,35628.76%406510541,10210.34%1925449,6902.44%0111124,4686.15%2702780.24%
ANU NC 245,54543.93%1930193155,04127.74%208710788,64615.86%7515838,1826.83%02525-----82.04%
BAD UV 162,57731.41%10919128169,13232.68%7753130104,40620.17%32548634,1326.59%02626-----81.98%
BAT EA 4080.14%00044,61915.26%13243745,03115.40%2414381,0030.34%00080,62227.58%6967576.20%
COL WE 476,87338.38%18534219410,52233.04%11582197134,14710.80%35760104,7078.43%04646-----76.79%
GAL SO 321,10250.46%2383241169,23426.59%159711275,82711.91%2495140,6346.38%02828-----81.19%
GAM WE 655,55449.19%34119360395,36029.66%68143211136,29810.23%66369102,1777.67%05454-----78.64%
HAM SO 199,01849.94%1386144101,70225.52%21507141,05910.30%1282951,02912.81%03232-----83.08%
JAF NO 3,2871.08%03319,1056.30%5202524,4618.07%626325530.18%000105,94734.94%1411215365.81%
KAL WE 350,38246.55%2123215235,11831.24%569415079,00010.50%2485047,7546.34%13031-----81.75%
KAN CE 360,73241.41%25517272303,05334.79%109111220109,74912.60%7727937,1844.27%02424-----81.15%
KEG SA 249,43146.05%1717178180,57933.34%427812072,20913.33%3444721,8074.03%01212-----82.20%
KIL NO 4740.75%0003,0094.73%0333,1744.99%0554880.77%00030,20547.48%3313474.82%
KUR NW 505,74947.68%3258333341,98332.24%50153203120,16311.33%2676958,7765.54%03535-----81.62%
MAN NO 2,5363.67%03323,58734.14%268345,9938.67%088910.13%00019,48728.21%2532880.36%
MTL CE 151,13047.19%1383141107,11733.44%26659136,28711.33%4303415,4134.81%01212-----80.74%
MTR SO 275,76753.48%2071208135,67226.31%178410150,8039.85%0373747,9229.29%03333-----81.48%
MON UV 164,29553.88%113111485,29627.97%8485630,58010.03%0212120,1846.62%01414-----85.83%
MUL NO 2,2914.11%1128,27914.85%57124,5808.22%0773940.71%00022,68240.69%3023277.76%
NUW CE 107,01524.04%642084165,59737.20%694711644,79310.06%13233611,3652.55%088-----81.04%
POL NC 94,13635.09%51116269,47425.90%10334389,00533.18%41175812,8664.80%088-----84.27%
PUT NW 182,63742.94%1249133134,00731.50%38599753,69912.62%12294115,3923.62%01010-----73.30%
RAT SA 362,29652.28%2302232218,98731.60%2710913662,8659.07%1394033,1524.78%02121-----82.53%
TRI EA 37,63816.99%5045435,73616.14%10283828,96913.08%1221334,3951.98%02232,44614.65%3333682.29%
VAV NO 7,8669.33%1431714,05516.68%5131814,38817.07%79161,6421.95%02222,02026.13%3113275.03%
Total5,006,83740.47%3,2551813,4363,640,62029.42%8721,5612,4331,497,23412.10%2048441,048710,9325.75%1433434337,8772.73%3892841779.94%

Aftermath

With so many local authorities hung with no overall control the path was open for back-room deals between parties to take control of local authorities. [96] As result the leadership of several local authorities was captured by a party other than that which won the most number of seats. [97]

Central Province

Eastern Province

Northern Province

North Western Province

Sabaragamuwa Province

Southern Province

Uva Province

Western Province

Notes

  1. 1 2 Excludes overhang seats.
  2. ↑ Rajapaksa is considered to be the real leader of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, whilst its official leader, G. L. Peiris is considered to be a proxy. [1] [2]
  3. 1 2 3 Represents seats won at the 2008, 2009 and 2011 elections.
  4. ↑ New Democratic Front candidate led by the United National Party
  5. ↑ United National Front for Good Governance figures

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United National Party</span> Political party in Sri Lanka

The United National Party is a centre-right political party in Sri Lanka. The UNP has served as the country's ruling party, or as part of its governing coalition, for 38 of the country's 74 years of independence, including the periods 1947–1956, 1965–1970, 1977–1994, 2001–2004 and 2015–2019. The party also controlled the executive presidency from its formation in 1978 until 1994 and back in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sri Lanka Freedom Party</span> Political party in Sri Lanka

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party is one of the major and most well known political parties in Sri Lanka. It was founded by S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike in 1951 and, since then, has been one of the two largest parties in the Sri Lankan political arena. It first came to power in 1956 and since then has been the predominant party in government on a number of occasions. The party is generally considered as having a democratic socialist or progressive economic agenda and is often associated with nationalist Sinhalese parties. The party follows a Non-Aligned foreign policy but always had close ties to socialist nations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United National Front (Sri Lanka)</span> Political party in Sri Lanka

The United National Front (UNF) later the United National Front for Good Governance (UNFGG) was a political alliance in Sri Lanka led by the United National Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">N. Kumaraguruparan</span> Sri Lankan politician

Nalliah Kumaraguruparan is a Sri Lankan Tamil accountant, politician and former provincial councillor. He is leader of the Democratic National Front.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rajitha Senaratne</span> Sri Lankan dentist, politician

Nambukara Helambage Rajitha Harischandra Senaratne is a Sri Lankan dentist, politician, member of parliament and former cabinet minister. He is currently a member of parliament representing Kalutara district

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dullas Alahapperuma</span> Sri Lankan politician (born 1959)

Dullas Daham Kumara Alahapperuma is a Sri Lankan politician and founder and current leader of the Freedom People's Congress. Alahapperuma is also a former Cabinet Minister of Information and Mass Media and a current Member of Parliament from the Matara District.

Local elections were held in Sri Lanka on 17 March 2011, 23 July 2011 and 8 October 2011 to elect 4,327 members for 322 of the 335 local authorities in the country. 13.7 million Sri Lankans were eligible to vote in the election. Elections to two other local authorities in Mullaitivu District are due but have been repeatedly postponed due to alleged delays in resettling internally displaced persons. Elections to the remaining 11 local authorities are not due as they had their last election in 2008 or 2009.

Local government is the third and lowest level of government in Sri Lanka – after the central government and provincial councils. The local government bodies are collectively known as local authorities. They are responsible for providing a variety of local public services including roads, sanitation, drains, housing, libraries, public parks and recreational facilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaffna Municipal Council</span>

Jaffna Municipal Council is the local authority for the city of Jaffna in northern Sri Lanka. JMC is responsible for providing a variety of local public services including roads, sanitation, drains, housing, libraries, public parks and recreational facilities. Established in January 1949 as a successor to Jaffna Urban Council, it currently has 45 members elected using the mixed electoral system.

The 15th Parliament of Sri Lanka was the meeting of the Parliament of Sri Lanka with its membership determined by the results of the 2015 parliamentary election, held on 17 August 2015. The parliament met for the first time on 1 September 2015 and was dissolved on 3 March 2020.

Angajan Ramanathan is a Sri Lankan Tamil politician, former provincial councillor and Member of Parliament. He is the current Deputy chairman of committees of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna</span> Political party in Sri Lanka

The Sri Lanka People's Front, commonly known by its Sinhalese name Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), is a political party in Sri Lanka. Previously a minor political party known as the Sri Lanka National Front (SLNF) and Our Sri Lanka Freedom Front (OSLFF), it was relaunched in 2016 as the SLPP and became the home for members of the United People's Freedom Alliance loyal to its former leader Mahinda Rajapaksa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Sri Lankan presidential election</span>

Presidential elections were held in Sri Lanka on 16 November 2019. The incumbent President Maithripala Sirisena's term of office would have ended on 9 January 2020. This was the first presidential election in Sri Lanka where no sitting president, prime minister or opposition leader ran for president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Third Sirisena cabinet</span>

The third Sirisena cabinet was a short-lived central government of Sri Lanka led by President Maithripala Sirisena during the 2018 constitutional crisis. The cabinet and the prime minister was declared as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">16th Parliament of Sri Lanka</span>

The 16th Parliament of Sri Lanka is the current Parliament of Sri Lanka, with the membership determined by the results of the 2020 parliamentary election held on 5 August 2020. According to the Constitution of Sri Lanka the maximum legislative term of the parliament is 5 years from the first meeting.

Thavarasa Kalaiarasan is a Sri Lankan Tamil politician, former provincial councillor and Member of Parliament.

W. D. Weerasingha is a Sri Lankan politician, former provincial councillor and Member of Parliament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Supreme Lanka Coalition</span> Left-wing political alliance in Sri Lanka

The Uttara Lanka Sabhagaya or Supreme Lanka Coalition is a political alliance in Sri Lanka formed in 2022. The coalition is made up of seven Sri Lankan leftist and nationalist parties who were formerly part of the SLPP-led Sri Lanka People's Freedom Alliance, before defecting to the opposition amidst the 2022 economic crisis and political crisis. The first conference of the alliance was held on 4 September, 2022. Leader of the National Freedom Front (NFF) and former cabinet minister Wimal Weerawansa is the chairman of the Supreme Lanka Coalition. The alliance has 15 seats in the Parliament of Sri Lanka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freedom People's Alliance</span> Political alliance in Sri Lanka

The Freedom People's Alliance is a political alliance in Sri Lanka founded in 2023. The alliance consists of 12 political parties, including the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SFLP), the Uttara Lanka Sabhagaya and the Freedom People's Congress.

Local elections have not been held in Sri Lanka since 2018. Elections were originally scheduled to be held in 2022, but were postponed to 2023 due to the worsening economic crisis and instability in the country, before being postponed again several times by the government of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Currently, there is no official date scheduled for the elections.

References

  1. ↑ "Sri Lanka's Local Government Polls: Time To Send Signals?". The Sunday Times . Colombo, Sri Lanka. 9 January 2018. Archived from the original on 10 August 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  2. ↑ Liyanagama, Lakdev (6 July 2017). "Waiting to Vote". Daily News . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  3. ↑ "Local polls fixed on Feb 10". The Sunday Times . Colombo, Sri Lanka. 18 December 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  4. ↑ Mudugamuwa, Ishara (19 December 2017). "LG polls on February 10". Daily News . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  5. 1 2 Jayasekera, Sandun A.; Bandara, Kelum (18 December 2017). "LG polls on February 10". The Daily Mirror . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  6. ↑ Liyanagama, Lakdev (21 December 2017). "Selections before elections". Daily News . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  7. 1 2 Fernando, Manjula (10 December 2017). "LG polls, with several firsts". Sunday Observer . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  8. 1 2 Dissanayake, Chathuri (5 December 2017). "LG polls cost to hit Rs. 4 b". Daily FT . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  9. ↑ Marasinghe, Sandasen; Mudalige, Disna (25 August 2017). "Amended Local Government Elections Bill approved in Parliament". Daily News . Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  10. ↑ Riza, M. (11 February 2018). "Sri Lanka ruling alliance suffers defeat in local polls". Al Jazeera . Doha, Qatar. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  11. ↑ "Mahinda Rajapaksa heading for landslide victory in Sri Lanka local poll". The Indian Express . Noida, India. Press Trust of India. 11 February 2018. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  12. 1 2 Kanakarathna, Thilanka (6 March 2018). "LG Election: SLPP obtained 40% votes; media miscalculated: Champika". The Daily Mirror . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  13. ↑ Imtiaz, Zahrah. "Over 180 Local Govt. hung councils". Daily News . No. 14 February 2018. Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  14. ↑ "At least 160 LG bodies hung; decisive votes ahead says TISL". Daily FT . Colombo, Sri Lanka. 15 February 2018. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  15. ↑ Liyanagama, Lakdev (27 July 2017). "Tough test ahead". Daily News . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  16. 1 2 Kurukulasuriya, Lasanda (28 August 2011). "LG elections and the story in numbers". The Sunday Times . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  17. ↑ "Sri Lankan government to hold local government elections in Mullaitivu as soon as demining completed". Colombo Page. Indianapolis, USA. 11 October 2011. Archived from the original on 25 December 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  18. ↑ "Poll battle heats up". The Nation . Colombo, Sri Lanka. 9 January 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  19. ↑ "PART I : SECTION (I) — GENERAL Government Notifications PRADESHIYA SABHA ACT, No. 15 OF 1987 Order" (PDF). The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Extraordinary. 1778/6. Colombo, Sri Lanka. 2 October 2012. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  20. ↑ "PART I : SECTION (I) — GENERAL Government Notifications PRADESHIYA SABHA ACT, No. 15 OF 1987 Order" (PDF). The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Extraordinary. 1998/2. Colombo, Sri Lanka. 19 December 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  21. ↑ "PART I : SECTION (I) — GENERAL Government Notifications PRADESHIYA SABHA ACT, No. 15 OF 1987 Order" (PDF). The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Extraordinary. 2043/57. Colombo, Sri Lanka. 2 November 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  22. ↑ "More than 2,000 women to be elected to local councils". The Sunday Times . Colombo, Sri Lanka. 12 November 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  23. ↑ "Postponing Polls". Ceylon Today . Colombo, Sri Lanka. 18 August 2017. Archived from the original on 25 December 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  24. ↑ Gnanadass, Wilson (9 January 2011). "Parties jostle for council seats". The Nation . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Archived from the original on 25 December 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  25. ↑ "Terms of local government bodies extended". Daily FT . Colombo, Sri Lanka. 30 March 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  26. ↑ Gammanpila, Udaya (12 April 2015). "WHO CAN DISSOLVE LOCAL COUNCILS?". Ceylon Today . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Archived from the original on 25 December 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  27. ↑ "PART I : SECTION (I) — GENERAL Government Notifications MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ORDINANCE Order under Section 10 (2) (b)" (PDF). The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Extraordinary. 1907/50. Colombo, Sri Lanka. 27 March 2015.
  28. ↑ Santiago, Melanie (9 May 2015). "Local Government Authorities to be dissolved on the 15th of May : Minister John Amaratunga". News First . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Archived from the original on 25 December 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  29. ↑ "Local government bodies to be dissolved on May 15". Ada Derana . Colombo, Sri Lanka. 9 May 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  30. ↑ Wijayapala, Ranil (27 December 2015). "Local Govt. bodies get extended term". Sunday Observer . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  31. ↑ "Official Terms of 65 More Local Government Institutions End from Today". Hiru News. 31 July 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  32. ↑ "Terms of LG bodies extended". Daily News . Colombo, Sri Lanka. 14 October 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  33. ↑ "Term of LG bodies to be extended - President". Ada Derana . Colombo, Sri Lanka. 26 December 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  34. ↑ Fernando, Tharushan (31 December 2015). "Gazette notification issued extending time period of local govt institutions". News First . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  35. ↑ "Term of LG bodies extended by 6 months". The Daily Mirror . Colombo, Sri Lanka. 26 December 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  36. ↑ "Colombo Mayor to say goodbye, term of LG bodies not likely to be extended". Ada Derana . Colombo, Sri Lanka. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  37. ↑ "Term of Office of 23 Local Government Bodies including the CMC will not be Extended". Hiru News. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  38. ↑ Ferdinando, Shamindra (4 July 2016). "Muzammil irked by dissolution of local bodies". The Island . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Archived from the original on 25 December 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  39. ↑ "New election system for LG bodies passed". The Daily Mirror . Colombo, Sri Lanka. 10 October 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  40. ↑ "LG elections amendment draft bills passed". Ada Derana . Colombo, Sri Lanka. 10 October 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  41. ↑ "Local Authorities (Special Provisions) Act, No. 21 of 2012" (PDF). Colombo, Sri Lanka: Parliament of Sri Lanka . Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  42. ↑ "Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Act, No. 22 of 2012" (PDF). Colombo, Sri Lanka: Parliament of Sri Lanka . Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  43. ↑ Satyapalan, Franklin R. "More local govt. members under new election law". The Island . Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  44. ↑ "PART I : SECTION (I) — GENERAL Government Notifications DECLARATION UNDER SUB SECTION (1) OF SECTION 3A OF THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ORDINANCE (CHAP. 262)" (PDF). The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Extraordinary. 1788/15. Colombo, Sri Lanka. 12 December 2012.
  45. 1 2 Ayub, M. S. M. (23 June 2017). "Is the Govt. really scared of elections". The Daily Mirror . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  46. ↑ "Ward-based electoral system for local authorities recommended". The Sunday Times . Colombo, Sri Lanka. 28 June 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  47. ↑ Selvanayagam, S. S. (23 November 2017). "CA stays operation of Gazette on delimitation of local authorities". Daily FT . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  48. ↑ "PART I : SECTION (I) — GENERAL Government Notifications LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTIONS ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 262) Order under Section 3C" (PDF). The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Extraordinary. 1928/26. Colombo, Sri Lanka. 21 August 2015.
  49. ↑ "Demarcation headache brings in new committee". The Sunday Times . Colombo, Sri Lanka. 15 October 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  50. ↑ "Delimitation reported handed over". The Daily Mirror . Colombo, Sri Lanka. 17 January 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  51. ↑ Dias, Keshala (17 January 2017). "Delimitation Appeals Committee report handed over". News First . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Archived from the original on 25 December 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  52. ↑ "PART I : SECTION (I) — GENERAL Government Notifications LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTIONS ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 262) Order under section 3D" (PDF). The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Extraordinary. 2006/44. Colombo, Sri Lanka. 17 February 2017.
  53. ↑ Warunasuriya, Ashanthi (21 February 2016). "Increasing Female Participation In Elections". The Sunday Leader . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Archived from the original on 25 December 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  54. ↑ Kaviratne, Isuri Yasasmin (26 June 2016). "Women's experience and knowledge need to be incorporated in policy making: Empowering women". Sunday Observer . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  55. ↑ "Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Act, No. 1 of 2016" (PDF). Colombo, Sri Lanka: Parliament of Sri Lanka . Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  56. ↑ Nathaniel, Camelia (6 December 2015). "Discussion Continues On Electoral System For LG Polls". The Sunday Leader . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  57. ↑ "Nat. Govt. to part ways for local polls next year". The Sunday Times . Colombo, Sri Lanka. 1 November 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  58. ↑ Mudalige, Disna (4 August 2017). "New amendment to mixed electoral system". Daily News . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  59. ↑ Gunasekara, Skandha (26 August 2017). "LG Elections (amendment) Bill passed". Ceylon Today . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Archived from the original on 25 December 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  60. ↑ Marasinghe, Sandasen; Mudalige, Disna (26 August 2017). "LG elections bill passed". Daily News . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  61. ↑ "Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Act, No. 16 of 2017" (PDF). Colombo, Sri Lanka: Parliament of Sri Lanka . Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  62. ↑ Dias, Keshala (15 November 2017). "Petition filed in Court of Appeal over Local Government Elections". News First . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  63. ↑ Ariff, Yusuf (15 November 2017). "Petition filed against LG delimitation Gazette". Ada Derana . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  64. ↑ Sooriyagoda, Lakmal (23 November 2017). "Court suspends delimitation gazette". Daily News . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  65. ↑ de Alwis, Nathasha (22 November 2017). "Court of Appeal issue injunction on delimitation gazette". News First . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  66. ↑ "LG polls: Notice issued calling for nominations". The Daily Mirror . Colombo, Sri Lanka. 27 November 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  67. ↑ de Alwis, Nathasha (27 November 2017). "Nomination papers for upcoming LG Elections to be published". News First . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  68. ↑ Nafeel, Nushka (28 November 2017). "Nominations for 93 LG bodies from Dec. 11-14". Daily News . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  69. ↑ "Petitions against LG Gazette withdrawn". The Daily Mirror . Colombo, Sri Lanka. 30 November 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  70. ↑ Selvanayagam, S. S. (1 December 2017). "CA dissolves Interim Order against Delimitation Gazette". Daily FT . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  71. ↑ "PART I : SECTION (I) — GENERAL Government Notifications LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTIONS ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 262) Order under Section 3D" (PDF). The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Extraordinary. 2047/52. Colombo, Sri Lanka. 2 December 2017.
  72. ↑ Mudugamuwa, Maheesha (5 December 2017). "Nominations called for 248 local bodies". The Island . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  73. ↑ "Beginning of end for Sri Lanka's coalition government". dailymirror.lk. 15 March 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  74. ↑ "Election Commission decides to call nominations for 93 Local Government bodies with no legal obstacle". Daily FT . Colombo, Sri Lanka. 27 November 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  75. ↑ Ariff, Yusuf (27 November 2017). "LG Polls: Nominations to be accepted from Dec 11". Ada Derana . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  76. ↑ "23 of 523 nomination papers rejected". TNL Radio News. Colombo, Sri Lanka. 15 December 2017. Archived from the original on 25 December 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  77. ↑ "Accepting nominations for remaining 248 local government bodies begin today". Colombo Page. Indianapolis, USA. 18 December 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  78. ↑ "Nominations for 248 LG Bodies from today". Daily News . Colombo, Sri Lanka. 18 December 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  79. ↑ "Over 1500 nominations accepted in the second stage for elections of 248 local government bodies, 29 rejected". Colombo Page. Indianapolis, USA. 22 December 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  80. ↑ "1553 groups seeks victory in LG polls". news.lk. Colombo, Sri Lanka. 22 December 2017. Archived from the original on 25 December 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  81. ↑ Ariff, Yusuf (18 December 2017). "Local Government election on February 10". Ada Derana . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  82. ↑ "Local Government elections to be held on February 10". The Sunday Leader . Colombo, Sri Lanka. 18 December 2017. Archived from the original on 25 December 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  83. ↑ Gunasekara, Skandha (19 December 2017). "LG polls on 10 February". Daily FT . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  84. ↑ Riza, Shaahidah (19 December 2017). "LG PollS on 10 Feb – EC". Ceylon Today . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Archived from the original on 25 December 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  85. ↑ "Postal voting on January 25, 26". The Daily Mirror . Colombo, Sri Lanka. 25 December 2017. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  86. ↑ "SC order stays election for Elpitiya PS". The Sunday Times . Colombo, Sri Lanka. 30 January 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  87. ↑ Ariff, Yusuf (30 January 2018). "Court orders not to hold election for Elpitiya PS". Ada Derana . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  88. ↑ "Elections in Sri Lanka: 2018 local government elections: Frequently asked questions" (PDF). International Foundation for Electoral Systems. 5 February 2018. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  89. ↑ "SLFP faces decisive moment, crucial make-or-break meeting on Friday - Sri Lanka News Papers - News Headlines from Colombo". 29 October 2017. Archived from the original on 26 December 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  90. ↑ "SLFP with UPFA for LG elections" . Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  91. ↑ "SLFP to contest under UPFA ticket - Amaraweera". 2 December 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  92. ↑ SitePoint (2 November 2017). "JHU to contest the LG Election with the UNP - News Radio". Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  93. ↑ "SLMC Decides To Contest With UNP | The Sunday Leader". Thesundayleader.lk. 29 October 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  94. ↑ admin (27 November 2017). "Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna makes deposits for LG polls – Colombo Gazette". Colombogazette.com. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  95. 1 2 3 "Local Authorities Elections 2018". Colombo, Sri Lanka: Election Commission of Sri Lanka / news.lk. Archived from the original on 7 May 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  96. ↑ "Nearly half of LG bodies hung – TISL". The Island . Colombo, Sri Lanka. 16 February 2018. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  97. ↑ Rubatheesan, S. (6 May 2018). "Oddball council results no bar to extending voting system to provinces". The Sunday Times) . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  98. ↑ Kuruluwansha, Asela; Jayawardene, Feron (27 March 2018). "CWC gets Hatton–Dickoya UC Chairmanship". Daily News . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  99. ↑ Rajapaksha, Ranjith; Illangatillake, Gamini Bandara (29 March 2018). "Tense situ. at Maskeliya PS". The Daily Mirror . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  100. ↑ "CWC Establishes Administration in Nuwara Eliya Pradeshiya Sabha". Hiru News. Colombo, Sri Lanka. 29 March 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  101. 1 2 Abdul Gafoor, A. B. (28 March 2018). "UPA bags Sammanthurai, Nintavur PS Chairs". Daily News . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  102. ↑ "TNA takes control of Chavakachcheri Urban Council with support of EPDP, SLFP and UNP". Tamil Guardian . 26 March 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  103. ↑ "EPDO 'fortress' Neduntheevu cpatured by TNA". Tamil Diplomat. 7 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  104. ↑ "UNP beat TNA to capture Manthai East and TNA beat SLFP to capture Thunnukkai". Tamil Diplomat. 19 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  105. ↑ "EPDP backing hands control of Point Pedro Urban Council to TNA by one vote". Tamil Guardian . 27 March 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  106. ↑ "Tussle between Tamil Parties and TNA loses Vavuniya TC to TULF - TNA members dispute with stalwarts". Tamil Diplomat. 17 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  107. ↑ "TNA loses its new allies in Velanai Pradeshiya Sabai". Tamil Diplomat. 30 March 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  108. 1 2 Jayarathne, Pushpakumara; Shanthaudaya, Ajithalal; Padmasiri, Prasanna (29 March 2018). "Kurunegala MC elects its Mayor from the SLPP". The Daily Mirror . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  109. ↑ "Cops prevent UNP – SLMC clash". The Island . Colombo, Sri Lanka. 28 March 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  110. 1 2 Jayaratne, Rohana; Dhrmaratne, Pradeep Kumara (27 March 2018). "UNP bags Tangalle UC, Aranayake PS chairs while Pohottuwa wins Dehiwela-Mt Lavinia". Daily News . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  111. ↑ Sugathapala, D. G. (23 March 2018). "SLPP's Priyantha Godage elected Galle Mayor". The Daily Mirror . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  112. ↑ Gamage, Sanath (27 April 2018). "Pistol-wielding Eraj becomes Hambantota mayor again". The Daily Mirror . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  113. ↑ Irugalbandara, Ramesh (26 April 2018). "Eraj Fernando elected Mayor of Hambantota". News First . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  114. ↑ Dharmapala, H. M. (26 March 2018). "SLPP's Stanley Dias elected as Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Mayor". The Daily Mirror . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  115. ↑ Ariff, Yusuf (23 March 2018). "UNP's Sarath Peiris elected Chairman of Katunayake-Seeduwa UC". Ada Derana . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  116. ↑ Feranndo, Hubert (23 March 2018). "SLPP's Dayan Lanza elected Negombo Mayor". The Daily Mirror . Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  117. ↑ "SLPP's Ranaweera elected Seethawakapura Mayor". The Daily Mirror . Colombo, Sri Lanka. 7 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.