New UPFA councillors take oaths
Rasika Somarathna
The newly elected heads of local government bodies won by the United
People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) at the recent LG polls, took oaths
before President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday.
The UPFA won 45 out of the 65 local government bodies that held
elections on July 23.
The new LG heads comprising mayors, Chairmen and Deputy Chairpersons
took oaths before the President at an auspicious time yesterday morning
following religious observances of all faiths. UPFA General Secretary
Minister Susil Premajayantha told the gathering that the appointments
were made to the top positions according to the number of preferential
votes obtained by the elected officials.
The July 23 elections where UPFA won 45 out of the 65 local
authorities was the second phased of the LG elections. In the first
phase held on March 17, UPFA won 205 of the 234 LG bodies that went to
the polls.
In the same election other government allies such as the SLMC (four),
ACMC (two) and UPF (one) won seven seats bringing the total to 212. Thus
effectively in the first and second phase of elections, the UPFA (250)
and other partners (seven) have won 257 councils out of 299 which went
to polls.
Prime Minister D.M.Jayaratne, ministers, leaders of UPFA constituent
parties, chief ministers, governors, elected local council members and
their families were also present. |