Govt. rejects allegations of misconduct in Colombo Mayoral election vote

Wednesday, 18 June 2025 00:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister

Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa

Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa asserts secret ballot followed due administrative protocols
Calls criticism of Opposition politically inconsistent
Notes SJB members previously supported secret ballot procedure before objecting to outcome

The Government yesterday firmly rejected allegations that the Western Province Local Government Commissioner acted arbitrarily in conducting the secret vote to elect the Mayor of Colombo.

Responding to queries posed at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa defended the Commissioner’s conduct, asserting that the procedure of the secret vote was carried out in accordance with proper administrative protocols and guidelines.

He rejected Opposition claims that the Commissioner had favoured the ruling party during the process.

The controversy stems from allegations made by the main Opposition party Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), who claimed that Commissioner Sagarika Jayasundara had arbitrarily decided to hold the vote in secret, thus allegedly undermining transparency in the election process.

“If someone votes in our favour during a secret ballot, by looking at our policies, there needs to be no question about it,” he said.

Dr. Jayatissa opined that many of the opposition parties which contested the election as independents pledging to deliver change, have now abandoned those promises and are aligning themselves with the very parties the public had rejected.

“One should not forget that although the National People’s Power (NPP) could not secure over 50%, it is the only sole political party that has the majority of the members,” he pointed out.

He also pointed out that the Opposition had not raised similar objections when secret ballots were used in other Local Government bodies, claiming that the current outcry was politically selective and inconsistent.

“Before the CMC Mayoral election, it was SJB MP Mujibur Rahman and SJB Candidate Riza Zarook who gave voice cuts to the media calling for a secret ballot. But now they are crying foul after not receiving the outcome they anticipated,” he quipped.

In a closely contested secret ballot on Monday, Vraie Cally Balthazaar of the ruling NPP was elected Mayor of Colombo, through a secret ballot following initial debate over its format.

With a narrow majority in the 117-member Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), Balthazaar received 61 votes, defeating her rival Mohammed Riza Zarook of SJB, who garnered 54 votes. Two votes were declared invalid. It was the first time in Colombo’s history that a member of the NPP was elected to the city’s top Municipal post.

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