The Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government is awaiting the opinion of the Attorney General over the legality of handing over powers of the local councils to Municipal Commissioners and Pradeshiya Sabha Secretaries after the term of 340 councils ended midnight yesterday.
State Minister for Local Government Janaka Wakkumbura told Timesonline said that the opinion had been sought in view of a previous court decision which said after the term of council ends, elections should be held instead of handing over powers to the Municipal Commissioners and PS Secretaries.
Meanwhile, directions have been given to the former Mayors and former Chairmen of Urban Councils and Pradeshiya Sabha members to return the vehicles used by them to the respective councils.
The term of the Local Councils ended last year, but the Minister using his powers extended the term by one year which ended on Sunday night. The Minister could extend the term only by a maximum of one year.
A Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 helicopter belonging to the No. 72 squadron has crashed into the Madhuru Oya reservoir this morning, Air FOrce Media Spokesman Eranda Geeganage said.
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