Explaining results of the Local Government election, So-Cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne the outcome of the polls has further strengthened the 'January 08' mandate.

Although the Sri Lanka Podujana Party has won the election, the Minister said, its percentage stood around 45 percent.

Speaking to the BBC Sandeshaya, the Minister the percentage of the parties contesting against the Rajapaksa group was higher than the percentage of the SLPJ. 

"Therefore", he added, "the anti-Rajapaksa vote still remains the same."

"There is no need to change the President and the Prime Minister due to the result. We must expedite our work and deliver results," he added. 

However, the SLPJ, led by the Rajapaksa group, won over 200 Local Government bodies across the country while the UNP managed to win only 41 LG bodies. The other coalition partner of the government, the UPFA, led by President Sirisena, has won only 05 LG bodies and failed to secure a place among the top three parties. 

Senaratne too suffered a landslide defeat in the Kalutara district as the SLPJ won the large majority of Local Government bodies in the district, with a resounding margin.