Government’s chief negotiator Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said the public have given a mandate for UPFA government to continue negotiations with the LTTE to find a lasting solution to Sri Lanka’s national question.

“The people have expressed confidence on President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the government,” de Silva told BBC Sandeshaya.

In a landslide victory UPFA led by President Rajapaksa has secured 225 councils of 266 contested island-wide.

Many voters were not very interested in the local elections and many of those have happened to be UNP supporters UNP Dep. Gen. Secretary

The polls for 45 local bodies mainly in the rebel held north and the east were postponed after recommendations by district retaining officers.

The main opposition, United National Party (UNP), has only secured power in 33 local bodies.

But the UNP rejected suggestions that the defeat is linked to post-presidential election power struggle.

UNP Deputy General Secretary Tissa Attanayake told bbcsinhala.com that the voters usually support the ruling party after a major election.

“Many voters were not very interested in the local elections and many of those have happened to be YNP supporters,” he added.

The people have expressed confidence on President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the government Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva

Elections for UNP stronghold Colombo Municipal Council and UPFA stronghold Gampaha MC were postponed due to legal actions.

LTTE-backed Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has won five local bodies and Ceylon Democratic United Alliance (CDUA) and an independent group have secured one council each.

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), who backed Rajapaksa in November 17 presidential elections, claimed the victory of UPFA means a victory for them, too.

JHU ledear Ellawala Medhananda thero said the elction results show that the people have supported Mahinda Chintana policy, which was endorsed by the JHU.

This forum is now closed. Thank you for your contributions.

Here is what you said on the election result.

After a presidential election it is normally the case were the ruling party wins the small elections comes after. When you compare the 2002 elections were UNP won most of the local bodies, they have won more local bodies than what UPFA won in this election. But the most important fact that comes out of this result is that people have rejected small nationalist, racist parties like JVP and JHU, now they have to understand that the path they are following is not the path most of Sri Lankan's support.
Amila Gammana, Kalutara, Sri Lanka

After 41 years, JVP has come a full circle where it started, to Tissamaharama.
Chandranath de Silva, Maharagama, Sri Lanka

its unfortunate that extremist parties stil do not accespt that they are rejected by people. They intreptret results in a different way doesn't matter wheather is is vicotory or defeat for them. UPFA and UNP should now come together do do the needful such a peace, constitutional changes like excecutive presidency, elections systems, all commisions etc. All in all, they have to restore democrasy in this half-democratic country.
Dhammika Herath, Gothenburg University, Sweden

I am aware that many many Sri Lankans do not agree with the peace process and Norway's involvement in Sri Lankan affairs. The voters who casted the votes for the Government did so to get the local authorities to get their respective areas developed. This win should not be interpreted as as endorsement of the government's peace process.
Wickrama Gunasekara, Kuwait

This landslide victory is the first compelling indicator of the beginning of the end of Sri Lankas long drawn ethnic conflict. An undisputable social base for peace has begun to form among the majority Sinhalese, that holds the key to any long-term solution.
Deke Dias, California, USA

It is very interesting to note that around 50% pf the voters have not exercised their voting right. What does this conclude? Have the lost faith in politicians in SriLanka. Can we assume that 50% of the SriLanka have rejected Presidents policy and initiatives? Well what ever said and done, most of the SriLankans are living under poverty line. Their economic conditions are deteriorating day by day.
Ravi Ratnasingham, Toronto, Canada

Peace is what million of SriLankan who live in and out of Sri Lanka dreaming on for years but the fact is we have too many foreign influence and we are really not in control of our destiny. On top of that we have had many leaders with very short visions and influence by foreign governments. It is extremely difficult situation and need radical changes and many painful decisions, are we ready for that? I do not think so! If Tsunami cannot bring the country together, we need some action bigger than that.
Shan Mylvaganam, London, UK

I do agree with Yohan that is what reflects from the election results.
Shantha Perera, Glasgow, UK

To the second time Sri Lankans have endorsed and confirmed their decision, which they had given at the presidential election. Its a very clear mandate to go ahead in the peace path. Hence, now all parties including LTTE (if they are really interested in democracy) should come forward and give their support to the president to bring long lasting solution to the north-east problem.
Daya Nikahetiya, Austria

This is not a mandate for peace. It's an insult to the people of Sri Lanka. UPFA and UNP should not say that. People voted for UPFA in anticipation that President Rajapakse might help the people alliviate their poverty. It is of no use voting for minor political parties at this point, since they cannot do someting on the level of local government bodies to help people overcome their problems. In a possible general election people will again vote for minor political parties like JVP and JHU. People are much more intelligent than so called political critiques and analysts. UPFA should not get elated; soon they will be down.
Yohan Warnasuriya, Toronto, Canada

I am so happy about the defeat of the nationalist extremist in this LG election.People have striped their nature.those are the people who obstruct all progressive programs of the country and also responsible for the mass bloodsheds of the recent histroy of southern Sri Lanka.
Ivan Perera, London, UK

Now the political fight between the main two parties are over. No more elections in near future. Therefore it is high time to prepare an agenda by these to parties settle the on going conflict between the North and the south.
Lakmal Kahawela, glasgow, Scotland

Well i think it's great the Victory by the UPFA.I was a great person who all ways votes for UNP but this time i did for Mahinda for PEACE in our country and for all to live as brothers and sisters of mother lanka and it feels really good to know all lankans think the same. This victory shows that every body wants peace and not war and also its great to know the JVP and the JHU got the boot from the lankans its not Noway who has to GET OUT it's this groups (JVP and JHU) who has to GET OUT.
Rakitha Gunasekara, Colombo, Sri Lanka

This is a definite victory for peace. UNP as usual got everything wrong by saying,"But the UNP rejected suggestions that the defeat is linked to post-presidential election power struggle." Bottom line is UNP lost the peoples confidance due to its own internal power struggle.
Mahinda, Canada

we like to hear the intevew from JVP and hela urumaya after they defeat the local Gonernment election regarding eithnic issue in Srilanka, We all like peace in Srilanka as soon as posible to avoid killing both Srilanka innocent soldiers and as well as LTTE and Tamil innocent people, both are children of Srianka.
Arul Thamilselvan, London, UK