Northern Province Governor Nagalingam Vethanayahan has ordered the removal of the Mayor of the Vavuniya Municipal Council and the Vice Chairman of the Chavakachcheri Urban Council following the conclusion of official inquiries into alleged administrative irregularities.
The decision was announced through Extraordinary Gazette Notifications issued under the Municipal Councils Ordinance No. 29 of 1947 and the Urban Councils Ordinance No. 61 of 1939, read together with the Provincial Councils (Consequential Provisions) Act No. 12 of 1989.
According to the notifications, the Governor made the decision after reviewing reports submitted by an Individual Inquiry Board appointed to investigate the administration and functioning of the two local authorities.
The Governor stated that retired District Judge Kandiah Ariyanayagam had been appointed as Commissioner to conduct the inquiries and submit findings on the operations of both councils.
Based on the inquiry report, Governor Vethanayahan concluded that the Mayor of the Vavuniya Municipal Council, Sundaralingam Kandeeban, was no longer qualified to continue in office under the relevant provisions of the Municipal Councils Ordinance.
In a separate gazette notification, the Governor also announced that the Vice Chairman of the Chavakachcheri Urban Council, G. Kishor, had been found disqualified from holding office under the provisions of the Urban Councils Ordinance.
Accordingly, both officials have been removed from their respective positions, along with their membership in the respective local authorities, with effect from June 24, 2026.
The Governor stated that the decisions were taken under the statutory powers vested in the office through the relevant provincial and local government legislation following a detailed examination of the inquiry findings.
