December 23, Colombo (LNW): The Colombo Municipal Council has voted down its proposed 2026 budget in a closely contested decision, dealing a setback to the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) administration at City Hall.
During the council session, 57 members backed the budget, while 60 councillors voted against it, resulting in the proposal being defeated by a slim margin of three votes.
The outcome hinged on the votes of two representatives from the Sarvajana Balaya group, whose opposition proved decisive.
This marked the first budget presented by the NPP-led council since it took control of the CMC. The result has drawn attention given the party’s recent political gains in the capital.
At the most recent local government elections, the NPP secured control of the Colombo Municipal Council, and its mayoral nominee, Vraie Cally Balthazar, was elected Mayor of Colombo with the support of 61 councillors. The narrow rejection of the budget now raises questions about consensus-building within the council ahead of future policy decisions.
