Colombo Mayoral race hots up
With no single party securing an outright majority in the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), the contest for the mayoralty is intensifying ahead of a decisive vote scheduled for June 16.The newly elected Council will hold its inaugural meeting at 9.30 a.m. on June 16 at the Colombo Town Hall, where the new Mayor of Colombo will be elected by a secret ballot. The Deputy Mayor will also be elected through the same process.When no party commands a majority in a Local Government (LG) body, the Mayor is chosen by a ballot of councillors during the council’s first sitting under Sri Lanka’s Local Authorities Election Ordinance,.
The ruling National People’s Power (NPP) emerged as the largest party in the CMC at the May 6 LG elections, winning 48 of the 117 seats. However, with 59 seats required to secure a majority, the NPP must now secure the backing of at least 11 additional Councilors to clinch the Mayoralty.
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), led by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, secured 29 seats at the LG poll. The United National Party (UNP) won 13, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) five, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) four, Sarvajana Balaya (SB) two, and several Independent groups claimed five seats across three lists.
With no party crossing the 59-seat threshold needed for an outright majority, the formation of the Council’s administration and the election of the Mayor will depend on coalition-building and behind-the-scenes negotiations. The NPP, which emerged as the largest party, has been working to secure the support of at least 11 additional Councilors. Party sources expressed confidence that it had achieved this by negotiating with the United Peace Alliance (UPA), the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), and several Independents — bringing its total to the required 59 seats. The Party has already nominated Vrai Cally Balthazar as its Mayoral candidate.
The SJB, leading the Opposition coalition, has nominated businessman and lawyer Riza Zarook for the Mayoral post. SJB MP Mujibur Rahuman said the party is continuing discussions with other political groups to gather backing for Zarook’s candidacy.
“We have already secured the support of 51 Councilors,” Rahuman said. “We are currently in talks with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), DNA, and several Independents to build a majority.” Negotiations by both sides are expected to continue this week.
