Srilanka, Feb. 18 -- The government aims to hold the long-delayed Local Government elections as soon as possible without further postponement, Leader of the House and Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Minister Bimal Ratnayake said in Parliament yesterday (17).

Speaking during the debate on amendments to the Local Government Elections Act, the Minister emphasised that there are two Court orders mandating the election to be held.

He accused President Ranil Wickremesinghe of deliberately postponing the elections, calling it an intentional disruption. He noted that several political parties that had submitted nominations in the past no longer exist, some candidates have withdrawn and others have even been elected to Parliament...