Govt. defends WP Commissioner over Colombo mayor vote

Published : 17 June 2025 07:02 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 23 Bookmark

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Colombo, June 17 (Daily Mirror) - The government has refuted allegations that Western Province Local Government Commissioner Sarangika Jayasundara acted arbitrarily during the election of the Colombo Mayor.

Addressing the weekly Cabinet media briefing, Government Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said the Commissioner had followed due procedure in conducting the secret ballot.

He dismissed claims that she acted in a biased or unilateral manner.

The response comes after the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) accused Jayasundara of favouring the ruling party by deciding to proceed with a secret ballot without wider consensus.

Comments - 23

Comments - Govt. defends WP Commissioner over Colombo mayor vote

TJ Tuesday, 17 June 2025 08:15 PM

Trying to defend the indefensible.

44 20

PunkaLatha Wednesday, 18 June 2025 12:33 AM

True. Democracy in action indefensible for some people.

7 42

Ram P Wednesday, 18 June 2025 04:36 AM

We elect the Members in a secret ballot. When the Members elected go to elect their leader that too must be secret ballot. What is the issue?

3 4

Narendra Tuesday, 17 June 2025 08:47 PM

The local government commissioner has the power and authority to conduct election under a secret ballot. That is clear democracy. The sour grapes are trying * to bully her. The years long bribery and corruption will come to an end. Colombo will rise up.

20 69

Sohan Wednesday, 18 June 2025 12:32 AM

She does not have such authority mate. She did not follow the act and she wanted to go for a secret ballot from the beginning itself at Colombo. Today at Seethawaka also she tried to do the same and got caught. This will ruin her career and probably loose the job via court case.

51 34

lion Wednesday, 18 June 2025 06:43 AM

Have you seen the proceedings of this election in the TV. Those who have seen , clearly saw how the commissioner conducted the proceeding to elect the mayor in a very dignified manner. All the members have agreed to a secret ballet finally and cast their vote. The casting of vote by all the members indicated that they all have agreed to the secret ballot. If they have not agreed members would have boycotted the vote like in Sethavaka pradeshiya saba.

2 3

Errol Gomesz Wednesday, 18 June 2025 07:48 AM

File a case,let the law do it's duty, if found guilty, maximum punishment atleast 20 years, and dissolve cmc and have a new election for mayor post.

1 2

Darcey Tuesday, 17 June 2025 10:57 PM

The vote is totally fair and nothing to defend

12 48

Insider Wednesday, 18 June 2025 07:58 AM

Yes what is more fair and democratic than a secret vote like General Elections and Presidential elections where you vote according to your conscience. In an open vote one is restrained by political party affiliations so becomes a vote under duress.

0 2

WAS NOT BORN IN THE LAST SHOWER OF RAIN Tuesday, 17 June 2025 11:21 PM

WELL SAID MINISTER, SJB WILL LIKE THE OTHERS GO TO ANY LENGTH TO MOUTH OFF. WE HAVE HAD WAY TO MANY DECADES OF CORRUPTION IN THE COLOMBO CMC, SOME OF US WHO HAVE LIVED IN COLOMBO SINCE BIRTH HAVE HEARD AND SEEN IT ALL.

11 35

DD Tuesday, 17 June 2025 11:50 PM

Elected officials exercised their right to vote—nothing wrong there.Open voting puts pressure on them to follow the party line, often influenced by party leaders.Secret voting lets them choose what’s best for their constituents without fear. It might be worth introducing this in the central parliament too—for the good of the country.

10 38

Guest Wednesday, 18 June 2025 07:07 AM

Well party line means you are sticking to party policy, secret ballot means your conscious can be brought. For example if a major cooperate wants any bill or decision to be passed, they can buy the votes from all sides. (This is the case more often than not)

1 1

Sue Kirthisinghe Wednesday, 18 June 2025 12:26 PM

What's wrong in following party policy? If you're affiliated to a party or if you are a member of that party, club, association or whatever, you have to adhere to the party rules. If you don't like it, resign, be a Man, and do as you wish instead of going behind the back of the party and voting for the opposition for favors and gains. (No one does anything in sri lanka if they don't get anything out of it.). Those who voted against, definitely were promised something by the NPP and we will see what happens in the future. Sadly most people here still like to think of the NPP as saints who can do no wrong just because they are fed up with the other parties. If the way the NPP act and behave these days is anything to go by, it wont be long before you fans also turn your back on them. Just remember what I said.

0 0

Dr Tissa Fernando Wednesday, 18 June 2025 12:28 AM

Defending those who work in favor of pacha government is standard practice. Also , punishing anyone who speaks against the pacha government is also standard practice.

30 22

Ranjan Wednesday, 18 June 2025 05:10 AM

Why do call the present Government Pacha. How about the RW , GR and MR governments, the appropriate one is "wancha/hora government "

2 2

Realistica Adams Wednesday, 18 June 2025 07:02 AM

Hollow Dr foolish childish comments.

0 2

Ama Wednesday, 18 June 2025 02:36 AM

Anyway, the NPP had WON more seats than SJB in CMC. So Sajith, please your defeat. Try to solve your party issues first.

1 1

kumar Wednesday, 18 June 2025 06:51 AM

peoples reps should have the courage to be open. a secret vote would have only encouraged corrupt deals unless preferred by majority in open. The Government seems to be singing a different song,

1 2

Sambo Wednesday, 18 June 2025 07:37 AM

Poor sponsors. The hope fulls were housed in a five star hotel, given food and drink luxury bus transport to the Colombo municipal and yet 6 of the 60 votes against them. This the reason they rejected a secret and wanted to see who was voting against them.

0 1

Dr. Dee esy Wednesday, 18 June 2025 07:52 AM

Shahodaree, stands for another Shahodaree! What’s wrong?

2 2

Jude Wednesday, 18 June 2025 08:47 AM

If it's look like duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it is a duck!!!

0 0

SLEx Wednesday, 18 June 2025 09:03 AM

The true mentality of humans are showing. They voted NPP in to get rid of corruption which are usually sown from shady back deals to get into power. We have seen this with past governments. The core requirement in getting rid of corruption is complete transparency in everything. Ask yourself this, if any other party was the Government, would you accept a secret ballot or would you want a transparent election so you can ensure there are no secret deals between people in high positions?

0 0

Victor Wednesday, 18 June 2025 09:21 AM

Come on please let’s move on there are some people who will climb a tree to find a bear to pick a fight. Let Colombo develop, like he said we have got rid of all those coloured sheep, they can go to the paddock and let the government elected by the people govern.

0 1

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