The National Election Commission is of the view that regardless of an economic crisis, it is the responsibility of the government to grant them the money required to conduct the Local Authorities Election.

Commissioner-General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake said preliminary preparations to conduct the election have been completed.

Accordingly to the 2022 voter register, a total of 16,856,629 are eligible to vote at the upcoming election.

Commissioner-General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake added they will go ahead with making necessary arrangements to conduct the election unless they are prevented by a court order.

He added that it is not the responsibility of the National Election Commission to postpone elections.

Meanwhile, political parties have placed deposits to contest the Local Authorities Election in 23 Local Government Bodies in the Colombo, Kalutara, Kandy, Badulla and Vavuniya districts.

Five independent groups have also placed deposits thus far.

Deposits for the Local Authorities Election can be placed until noon on the 20th of January.

Meanwhile, nominations will be accepted for the Local Authorities Election from the 18th of January to noon on the 21st of January.