A statement from the Public Administration and Local Governments Ministry said that Cabinet approval had been given to upgrade seven urban councils - Kalutara, Vavuniya, Puttalam, Trincomalee, Kegalle, Mannar and Ampara to municipal councils. 

Former Minister Wimalaweera Dissanayake, Member of Parliament from Digamadulla, said that it had not been possible to turn Ampara, which was the centre of the historic Galoya Development Scheme, into a municipal council and the Prime Minister should be appreciated for the endeavour made by him as the minister in charge of the subject to accomplish that historic task.