When the Government announced last December its plan to hold Local Government Elections in April 2025, the Opposition leaders — already reeling from two crushing election defeats looked as though they’d been caught in a political fog.
No surprise there. As plain as the nose on their face, it was clear they were barely clinging to their Local Government presence. Political power? A distant dream. Yet, should another metaphorical cyclone sweep through, would it be the final blow to displace them entirely?
Of course not! These seasoned politicos have mastered the art of survival — knowing exactly when to lie low, when to retreat and when to fake a dignified exit. And when winning isn’t an option, the solution is simple: minimise the scale of defeat is their contention.
Enter the grand political coalition — their desperate attempt to look unified, marching merrily down Flower Road.
Marauding macaque menace
Their first masterstroke? Aligning themselves with farmers plagued by the marauding macaque menace. Some were all for eradicating the creatures; others, sporting newfound compassion, called for restraint. Ah, the poetic irony of politicians grappling with a monkey problem while their own party politics swung wildly out of control.
Then came the rice issue. The Government was accused of failing to provide enough rice, followed by outrage over rice imports and complaints that farmers weren’t getting a fair price. No doubt, the grain debate was their spirited warm-up for the election season.
Now, with the Government’s Budget proposals looming in March, these Opposition stalwarts can only sit tight, hoping for a political miracle. After all, this is the same Local Government Election that had already been postponed twice by the previous administration. But come April, it’s time to face the music — whether they like it or not.
The Local Government Elections, which were postponed for the second time in 2023 are now scheduled to take place this April, with plans to wrap up the process before the Sinhala and Hindu New Year on April 14. The vote will likely be taken after Parliament passes the national Budget in March.
Government’s commitment
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, responding to criticism from political opponents, assured that the public would soon see the Government’s commitment to their welfare once the national Budget is presented to Parliament in March.
A Draft Bill to amend the Local Authorities Elections Act, enabling the cancellation of nominations submitted recently for the 2023 Local Government elections and calling for fresh nominations, has been gazetted.
Published under the directive of the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government, the proposed legislation invalidates the nomination papers originally filed for the elections scheduled for 9 March 2023.
The Bill also provides for the refund of deposits made by candidates nominated by political parties or independent groups.
Once presented to and approved by Parliament, the Bill will come into effect. Following its implementation, the Election Commission will announce a new date for nominations. This announcement must be made at least three months before the commencement of the Act.
Nominations had been called earlier for the Local Government elections, but with almost all political alliances splitting up after the General Election on November 14, 2024, the new Bill was prepared to recall nominations.
The proposed changes are expected to have significant political and administrative implications as the country prepares for a fresh round of Local Government elections.
75,000 new voters
Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake said that 75,000 new voters will be added to the Local Government voter register this year. At the last Presidential election, 17.14 million voters were eligible to cast their ballots.
The previous Local Government election, held in 2018, had 15.7 million eligible voters selecting 8,327 members across 340 local authorities — comprising 24 Municipal Councils, 41 Urban Councils, and 275 Divisional Councils. It was the largest election in Sri Lankan history and the first conducted under the mixed electoral system. Under this system, 60 percent of members were chosen through the first-past-the-post voting system, while the remaining 40 percent were selected through the closed-list Proportional Representation.
Ratnayake said that this year’s local polls, scheduled for 2025, will cover 340 local authorities, except in Elpitiya, where a poll was held in 2019. The election will once again follow the mixed-member Proportional Representation system.
Typically, the term of a local authority is four years, but current legislation permits the Central Government to extend this by an additional year when deemed necessary.
Following his maiden official visit to New Delhi in December last year, President Dissanayake visited Kandy, where he met the Mahanayake Theras of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters.
During his discussions with Most Ven. Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera, Most Ven. Warakagoda Gnanarathana Thera, and Ven. Dr. Medagama Dhammananda Thera, the Lekhadhikari of the Asgiriya Chapter, the President announced his intention to hold the Local Government elections in April.
The upcoming Local Government elections, will serve as a critical litmus test for the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) party, which has enjoyed resounding victories in recent Presidential and General Elections. However, the NPP now faces a renewed challenge from its traditional political rivals, including the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), the United National Party (UNP), and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).
These polls come at a time when the political landscape is being swept clean, at least in theory, to establish law and order, transparency, and accountability in local governance. Public sentiment has shifted dramatically, with voters seemingly rejecting political figures who have long exerted undue influence over local bodies — including Pradeshiya Sabhas, Municipal Councils, and Urban Councils.
Corruption
For decades, corruption has plagued these Councils, with public funds frequently misallocated or outright misappropriated. There are numerous reports of Pradeshiya Sabha hardware and equipment being diverted for private construction projects by Council Members and Secretaries, while essential infrastructure projects are left to rot.
Take the simple matter of a drain in Ganga Patumaga, Pallimulla, Panadura — a project that has remained stalled for nearly two decades despite repeated pleas from residents whose homes are routinely flooded during rains.
It’s a glaring example of how bribery and malpractice, often involving sand miners and local business interests, have derailed even the most basic developments.
The lack of monitoring and accountability made inefficiency and corruption to flourish unchecked. Local Councils have repeatedly failed to incorporate citizen input or enforce provisions of the Local Government Acts, including the Pradeshiya Sabha Act. This disconnect between public needs and service delivery has left many citizens disillusioned.
Complaints and requests for assistance frequently fall on deaf ears, further undermining trust in local governance.
With elections round the corner, the demand for reform has become increasingly urgent. Amid ongoing economic challenges, the public is calling for greater efficiency, transparency and accountability from local representatives.
Resource constraints, political interference and corruption have contributed to the poor performance of Local Councils. Without systemic changes, restoring public confidence and improving service delivery will remain a formidable challenge.
The stakes are high, and whether the NPP or its rivals can meet these demands will likely determine their future standing in the eyes of a disillusioned electorate.
With the system of Local Government, significant reforms were introduced to the administration of local governance. Since then, the Local Government has continued to evolve under state patronage and guidance.
Today, the Local Government system consists of Municipal Councils, Urban Councils, and Pradeshiya Sabhas, each playing an important role in local administration. The roots of this structure can be traced back to the Gam Sabhas (Village Councils) and Sulu Nagara Sabhas (minor municipalities), which have since transformed into the modern-day Pradeshiya Sabhas.
In response to the ethnic tensions and the need for more localised governance, the creation of Provincial Councils marked a significant shift in Sri Lanka’s political landscape. Established as a way to devolve power from the Central Government, the Provincial Councils were especially focused on the Northern and Eastern Provinces, providing a framework for regional self-governance.
