Local elections in March
LOCAL government elections will be held on 27 March, the Sri Lankan government announced on 22 January. There will be no elections in the north-east and in the south polls will be for 198 Pradeshiya Sabhas or zonal councils, 31 urban councils and 12 municipal councils. Local Government minister Amarasiri Dodangoda dissolved 237 councils on 27 January transferring responsibility of local administration to the Divisional Secretaries who are directly controlled from Colombo.
The dissolution, two months ahead of elections against normal practice is believed to be to remove the advantage of opposition United National Party (UNP) which controls 192 local councils. The UNP suffered a further setback when its treasurer and former Colombo Mayor K Ganeshalingam resigned from the party. There is speculation that Mr Ganeshalingam may join the ruling People’s Alliance (PA).
The government has also been busy welcoming Indian Foreign minister Inder Kumar Gujral who arrived in the island on 19 January on a four-day official visit and to participate in the Indo-Lanka Joint Commission, setup in 1991 to improve bilateral cooperation. The two governments signed an agreement for the promotion and protection of investment between the countries as Mr Gujral announced removal of restrictions and lower tariff for over 70 Sri Lankan produce imported to India.
If there was any new deal brokered over the ethnic conflict or the LTTE, it was not revealed. Mr Gujral told the Tamil parties at a meeting on 21 January that India had "burned its hands once" and would not interfere in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka. He also said that India was prepared to provide humanitarian assistance of Rs 50 million ($1 million) for reconstruction of the north-east.
US State Department’s South Asian Affairs Assistant Secretary Robin Raphael arrived in Sri Lanka on the heels of Mr Gujral, also on a four-day visit. She flew to Vavuniya after her arrival on 29 January, to observe the military and humanitarian situation in the north. She confirmed US government’s denial that increased military assistance to Sri Lanka means it has become involved in the war. Currently two US commando teams are providing training to the Sri Lankans in the south and the US Navy is said to be involved in joint exercises off Tangalle. The US Airforce is also reported to be providing assistance in Sri Lanka.
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