Srilanka, March 9 -- The date of the forthcoming Local Government (LG) election will be set after the conclusion of the nominations on March 20, National Election Commission (NEC) Chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake said. Rathnayake said that nominations for 336 LG bodies have been called for and will be accepted during office hours from March 17 until noon on March 20.

Following recent legislative amendments in Parliament, the NEC has been granted authority to call for new nominations and set a date for the election.

People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi said, "We believe that once the nominations have been finalised, the NEC will consider all practical aspects and announce the election...