Minister Arjuna Ranatunga stated that the UNP and the SLFP should contest the forthcoming Local Government Election separately and join afterwards to form governments.

Speaking at an event in Payagala, Ranatunga said that the national government concept should extend to the local government bodies.

However, the main parties should also preserve their individual identities and therefore must contest the election separately, he added.

According to the government, the local government elections have been delayed due to issues in delimitation process to introduce a new electoral system. However, the opposition claims that the government is intentionally postponing the election.