Sri Lanka's prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe said the government was ready to hold provincial council elections "in due time" and was "dedicated to conduct all the elections on schedule".
Opposition groups have criticised the government for delaying the election arguing that the government is stalling as it fears a widespread defeat.
Mr Wickremesinghe said however that an electoral system would have be agreed prior to holding the elections.
"This should be immediately sorted out," he was quoted by Colombo Page as saying.