Janaka Wakkumbura: Latest News

COLOMBO (News 1st); State Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government, Janaka Wakkumbura said the Attorney General's recommendation on whether the tenure of the local government institutions will be extended, is expected today (20).The tenure of 340 Local Government Institutions lapsed on Sunday (19) night, and the matter of extending the tenure was referred to the Attorney General.The official term of 340 local government institutions ended at midnight on Sunday (19).Accordingly the tenure of 29 municipal councils, 36 urban councils and 275 pradeshiya sabhas ceased from midnight on Sunday (19).The tenure of the members of the 340 Local Government Institutions commenced on the 20th of March 2018, after the Local Government Election held on 10th February that year.The Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabyha held a separate election and as a result, their official term began in October 2018. Although the official term of 340 local government institutions was supposed to end on the 20th of March last year, the Minister in charge used his authority in order to extend the term by a year to end in 2023. Accordingly, the official term of 340 local government institutions ceased on Sunday (19).The State Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Janaka Wakkumbura says that thereafter, all administrative activities of these institutions will be handed over to the commissioners or secretaries. This is as per the provisions set out in the  Local Authorities Elections Ordinance.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena noted that immediate measures will be taken to announce the new tenure of Local Government Institutions.The Prime Minister said that the new tenure will be announced following talks with the Election Commission, and the Ministry officials.All public property used by Local Government Members should be handed over to the state before the 19th of March.State Minister Janaka Wakkumbura told News 1st that the tenure of Local Government Institutions will cease from midnight on the 19th of March, and the administration will fall under the Urban Commissioners and the Pradeshiya Sabha Secretaries.He said that only reform measures can be adopted by Local Government Institutions after the 19th of March.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The State Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government says that from next week, every public servant should report to duty in official attire based on the respective institution's policies.State Minister Janaka Wakkumbura says that the relevant circular will be issued next week.He said the government aims to encourage all public servants to return to the pre-COVID pandemic dress code. During the pandemic, a circular was issued relaxing the rules imposed on those working in the public sector.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A proposal to cut down on the number of representatives elected to local government bodies will be presented to Parliament, said Janaka Wakkumbura, Sri Lanka's State Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government on Friday (21).He said Sri Lanka currently has 8,719 local government members and measures would be taken to drop that figure to around 4,000.However, the State Minister stressed these reforms would not be used to delay the local government elections.The State Minister also added that the current local government system does not represent the true mandate of the people