Battle for CMC supremacy continues, date for first session to be announced today

A tough tussle is going on between the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) and the opposition parties, including Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), to gain control of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC). The ruling party has already decided to nominate Vraie Cally Balthazaar as Mayor, while the opposition is opting for Rifki Badurdeen as its nominee.   

Badurdeen is a business leader with experience across multiple industries.   

The date for the council to meet and the election of a mayor is decided upon by the Commissioner of Local Government. The Local Government Commissioner of the Western Province will issue the gazette notification calling for the convening of the CMC and other local bodies within the province where a single party does not command a majority today. The local government Commissioner is entrusted with the task of deciding on council heads through a consensus. The head will have to be decided by a vote if there is no consensus on the council heads, as per the local government law.   

CMC ended up without a clear majority for any party at the recent local government election, which was held on May 6, 2025. NPP obtained 48 seats, SJB 29, UNP 13, Democratic National Alliance 1, National Freedom Front 1, United Republican Front 1, PA 1, National People’s Party 1, SLPP 5, SLMC 4, Sarvajana Balaya 2, Independent group 1 and 2 one seat each, independent group 3 three seats, independent group 4 two seats while independent group 5 obtained two seats at in the CMC at the local government election last month. This is the first time where the Colombo Municipal Council ended up without a single party receiving a clear majority.