Minister Susil Premajayantha, who is also General Secretary of the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) told the Sunday Times, initially, the plan was not to hold elections to the MCs because of World Cup cricket matches in February and March. “However, when the World Cup cricket tournament ends in March, President Mahinda Rajapaksa will invoke powers vested in him to allow the MCs to function for another year.”

Mounting incidents of crime in the northern Jaffna and Vavuniya districts have prompted Police to advise residents to wear only imitation jewellery and take extra steps to protect their homes. These are among the measures proposed by two senior Police superintendents in leaflets widely disturbed yesterday in the north.