President Maithripala Sirisena said that local government elections and several provincial elections will be held during the next year and that the SLFP should prepare for these elections.

He made this observation at a meeting with some senior SLFP members yesterday in Colombo.

Accordingly the local elections are expected in early 2017 and the provincial elections in Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and North Central provinces are to be held in mid-year.

Sirisena said that the SLFP should not be divided as it will be advantageous to the UNP.