The mandate of 22 local government bodies will be extended by eight months until December 31.

The mandate of these local councils were earlier extended under emergency regulations but their mandate is to end by yesterday.

The Secretary to the Provincial Councils and Local Government Dr. Nihal Jayathilaka has told the state-run radio that the extension has become necessary due to the establishment of the Colombo Metropolitan City Corporation and the 2600th Sambuddha Jayanthi festival.

However, the elections could be held in these councils at any appropriate moment, he said.

The gazette notification regarding the extension of the mandate of the 22 local government bodies is to be issued today.

The 234 newly elected local government bodies are to commence their operations from April 01.

Elections of 64 local government bodies were postponed due to petitions pending against the rejection of the nominations for them. Two more local government institutions in the Mullaitivu district were not ready for elections since the demining operations were still in progress. Elections for another 35 local government bodies were postponed due to ongoing Cricket World Cup.