The Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government, Aloka Bandara, has issued a special circular granting relief to state sector employees who contested the local government elections originally scheduled for 9th March 2023.

The circular states that state officials who take leave to participate in the elections will continue to receive their basic salary, and the leave period will not be deducted from their vacation leave balance.

It also clarifies that any nomination papers submitted by state officials will be considered invalid and non-existent.

This decision was made following approval by the Cabinet of Ministers on the 25th of this month.