Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya said all preparations for the local government elections would be complete by October 1, and Sri Lanka could – conceivably – hold the election in the first week of December.

“All preparations for the local government elections will be complete by October 1,” the Elections Commissioner said, adding “we are prepared to hold local government elections on or before December 9.”

When questioned by reporters on if the provincial council elections would also be held around that time, the Commissioner replied to the contrary – “If the 20th Amendment to the Constitution is passed into law, then the elections will be delayed,” he said.

“But as things stand we are prepared to hold elections in the North, East and Sabaragamuwa on October 2.”