Status of 10 local government bodies to be elevated to Municipal Councils and UCs

The Cabinet of Ministers this week greenlighted a proposal to elevate the status of 10 local government bodies to Municipal Councils and Urban Councils.

Considering the socio-economic developments in the respective areas, Cabinet Co-Spokesperson and Mass Media, Transport and Highways Minister Bandula Gunawardane said the Cabinet approval was granted to elevate the status of the Kalutara, Vavniya, Puttalam, Trincomalee, Mannar, Ampara and Kegalle Urban Councils to Municipal Councils.

In addition, the Cabinet nod has also been given to grant the Urban Council status to the Kilinochi, Mullaitivu and Monaragala Pradeshiya Sabhas.

Gunawardane noted that the proposal is based on the recommendation of a committee that looked into the recent socio-economic developments such as population growth, infrastructure and other activities in these areas.

In addition, President Ranil Wickremesinghe advised the authorities to review the status of the local government bodies in the Western province that has gone through rapid urbanisation over the past couple of years.