The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval for several relief measures for the government officials entitled to political rights who had submitted nominations to contest the Local Government elections.

The Commissioner General of Elections had informed the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government that it would be appropriate to appoint a committee to resolve the issues that have surfaced due to the postponement of the Local Government Elections 2023 indefinitely, the Department of Government Information (DGI) said.

Accordingly, the consent of the Elections Commission has been provided to implement the recommendations of the report submitted by the said committee appointed by the Secretary to the Ministry. 

Based on the recommendations of that Committee, the Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to the proposal furnished by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in his capacity as the Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government to implement the following recommendations in the report:

1. If an officer entitled to political rights who presented themselves for local government elections and confronted the difficulties due to being transferred to a different service station out of the area and that the officer applied for election has appealed regarding that, the heads of institution should consider in the regard and let the officers to serve in their permanent service station after obtaining an affidavit from those officers indicating that they would not engage in political activities in the service station or publicize or promote political opinion.

2. Payment of the basic salary considers the period from 25.04.2023 to 08.05.2023 as a period with salary.

3. Order to report to service compulsorily as per Public Administration Circular No. 07/2023 dated 08.05.2023 in relation to the officers who have submitted nominations for Local Government Elections 2023. 

4. Accordingly, to issue a Public Administration circular for solving issues of public officers entitled to political rights.