Colombo – National People’s Power (NPP) councilor Vraie Cally Balthazaar has been elected as the new Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) following a secret ballot held during the inaugural sitting of the newly elected Council.
Balthazaar secured 61 votes, defeating Riza Zarook of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), who received 54 votes.
The decision to conduct the vote via secret ballot was made after a heated debate. While the SJB and United National Party (UNP) initially called for an open vote, the NPP opposed the move. Ultimately, all members agreed to proceed with a secret ballot.
The election took place during the first sitting of the CMC following the Local Government (LG) elections held on May 6, convened under the patronage of Western Province Local Government Commissioner Sarangika Jayasundara.
With no party securing an outright majority in the 117-member council, both the NPP and SJB claimed to have enough support from smaller parties to win the mayoral race. Final results from the LG election were as follows:
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NPP: 48 seats
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SJB: 29 seats
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UNP: 13 seats
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SLPP: 5 seats
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Sri Lanka Muslim Congress: 4 seats
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Independent Group 03: 3 seats
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Sarvajana Balaya: 2 seats
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United Peace Alliance: 2 seats
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Independent Groups 04 & 05: 2 seats each
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Several other parties and independent groups: 1 seat each
To form an administration, a minimum of 59 seats is required.
Balthazaar’s victory marks a significant moment for the NPP as it gains control of the Colombo Municipal Council for the first time.
