Historic Victory: NPP Seizes Colombo Municipal Council
The National People's Power (NPP) clinched a significant victory by securing the Colombo Municipal Council after a secret ballot election, with Vraie Cally Balthazar elected as mayor. Despite starting with an insufficient number of seats, the NPP managed to triumph amid fierce competition and claims of coalition strategies.
- Country:
- Sri Lanka
The National People's Power (NPP) secured a milestone victory in Sri Lanka's political landscape, claiming the Colombo Municipal Council after a dramatic secret ballot on Monday. Vraie Cally Balthazar of the NPP was elected mayor, triumphing over Riza Zarook of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) with a 61-54 vote margin among 117 cast, including two invalid votes.
This victory marks a historic first for the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, the parent party of the NPP, as the opposition accused the ruling party of forming coalitions to surpass vote shortages. Despite securing only 48 seats initially, the NPP's strategic victory underscores a significant shift in local governance dynamics.
During the May 6 election, only 160 out of 338 councils saw parties winning outright majorities. The NPP, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, managed to claim more councils, with many of the others formed through strategic party alliances, demonstrating their growing influence in the country's political fabric.
(With inputs from agencies.)
Google News