Despite rumours that the North Central Provincial Council would be dissolved soon and fresh elections held, Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake said that no such decision had been taken by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) or the president.

He said so when addressing the SLFP working committee in Kalawewa.  

“At the moment organisational activities of the SLFP are being carried out. Therefore some may think that there will be a provincial council election in the near future. Rumours are even being spread through the media. But neither the president nor we have taken such decision. But we are ready to face an election at any time,” he said.

We are not afraid to face elections like the UNP -- which has no proper leader. The United People’s Freedom Alliance would win with a big majority if elections were held, he said. (Athula Bandara, Anuradhapura)