June 16, Colombo (LNW): The recently elected members of the Colombo Municipal Council are set to gather today (16) for their first formal sitting following last month’s local government elections, which have resulted in a fragmented council with no party holding an outright majority.
An official announcement confirming the meeting was issued by the Western Province’s Department of Local Government, with the Commissioner, Sarangika Jayasundara, gazetting the date and time.
Proceedings are scheduled to commence at 9:30 a.m. at the historic Town Hall premises, marking the beginning of what is likely to be a highly contested political chapter in the capital’s local governance.
The primary agenda for this inaugural session is the election of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor—two pivotal roles that will determine the administrative direction of the Colombo Municipal Council. With no party achieving a clear majority from the 117 seats available, negotiations and behind-the-scenes alliances have intensified in recent days, as parties seek to consolidate power.
The National People’s Power (NPP) emerged as the single largest group, having secured 48 seats. Close behind, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) claimed 29 seats, whilst the United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) followed with 13 and 5 seats respectively. The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress garnered 4 seats, and Independent Group No. 03 secured 3 seats.
Several smaller factions and independent groups also hold sway in the council’s composition. Sarvajana Balaya and the United Peace Alliance each captured 2 seats. Independent Groups No. 04 and 05 also gained 2 seats apiece. Meanwhile, a range of lesser-known entities—including the United Republic Front, National People’s Party, National Freedom Front, Podujana United Front, and Democratic National Alliance—each managed to win a single seat, alongside Independent Groups No. 01 and 02.
With 59 seats required to command a working majority in the council, both the NPP and the SJB have claimed in recent days to have secured the support of enough allies to lead the administration.
The outcome of today’s vote for Mayor and Deputy Mayor will be an early indication of which coalition has succeeded in stitching together a governing bloc.
