The Elections Department said that the elections for the remaining 23 local government institutions including 17 Municipal Councils, one Urban Council and five Pradeshiya Sabha, will be held on or before October 17.
According to Department officials, the nominations will be accepted between August 18 and 25.
India commends Lankan on steps taken for reconciliation Indian External Affairs Minister S.M.Krishna, making a statement to the Lok Sabha today, lauded the Sri Lankan Government for the commencement of a structured dialogue on pursuing a national dialogue for nationalreconciliation. Referring to the channel 4 allegations and calls for an international war crimes probe Krishna, outlining Indian Governments stance, stated that India's focus is only on the welfare and well being of Tamils in Sri Lanka. He said, "Their (Tamils) rehabilitation and rebuilding should be of thehighest and most immediate priority. A just and fair settlement of thepolitical problem is of utmost importance. "While the Government of India is of the view that the end of conflict in Sri Lanka provides an opportunity to pursue a lasting political settlement in Sri Lanka within the framework of a united Sri Lanka, acceptable to all the communities in Sri Lanka including the Tamils, it has to be kept in mind that this is a long standing issue and Sri Lanka is going through its internal processes, including structured dialogue between the Government and representatives of Tamil parties," he said. "The sooner Sri Lanka can come to a political arrangement within which allthe communities feel comfortable, and which works for all of them, thebetter. In this context, the commencement of a structured dialogue on pursuing a political solution for national reconciliation as well asreconstruction and development is a laudable development. We will dowhatever we can to support this process," the Indian FM added.
STF recovers vehicles with altered engine numbers
A Trooper jeep, a Defender vehicle, and a Pajeero jeep with were found in a garage at Hirana in the Panadura area. The
discovery was made by police officers from the Special Task Force (STF). A
woman and a man was taken into custody by the Special Task Force and
handed them over to the Panadura police for investigations.(JJ)