Despite the unexpected setback suffered by the UNP at the Local Government election, the party has managed to show some strength in Nuwaraeliya and Badiulla districts, reports reaching Asian Mirror said. 

Minister Harin Fernando confirmed on social media that the UNP has won the Badulla Urban Council and the Pradeshiya Sabha. However, it is still not clear whether the party has shown the same momentum in Bandarawela - an area largely affected by the controversial Uma Oya  project. 

Minister Navin Dissanayake also stated that the UNP has won the local government bodies in the Nuwaraeliya district. Nuwaraeliya is generally considered a stronghold of the UNP. 

However, the official results of the two districts are yet to be released by the Elections Commission.

This comes against a backdrop where many influential ministers in the Cabinet have lost their electorates to the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, led by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's group.