Joint Opposition secures majority of hung local bodies – Opposition member

By Yohan Perera   

The joint opposition has succeeded in gaining control of a majority of the local government bodies that remained hung following this year’s local election, a senior opposition member claimed yesterday.   

Speaking at a media briefing, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) National Organizer Tissa Attanayake stated that the joint opposition has taken control of 101 hung local authorities, while the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) has managed to secure only 74.   

“This includes two councils, such as the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha, which the opposition recently secured,” Attanayake noted.   

He outlined the breakdown of control among opposition-aligned parties as follows: SJB – 39, Illangai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) – 34, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) – 6, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) – 5, All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) – 2, Independents – 4, Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA) – 4, Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) – 3, People’s Alliance – 2, and United National Party (UNP) – 2.   

Attanayake claimed the joint opposition could have secured upto 110 local bodies if not for internal sabotage. “We would have captured at least 110 hung councils if not for certain members of our own party who acted against our collective decisions,” he said.   

He also expressed gratitude to all opposition parties that collaborated to defeat the ruling NPP in these councils. “We thank all opposition forces that united to overcome the NPP’s hold,” he said.   

Furthermore, Attanayake confirmed that disciplinary action has been initiated against SJB local government members who defected to the NPP.   

He went on to accuse the ruling party of employing unethical means to gain power. “The NPP attempted to influence outcomes using state resources, and in some areas, orchestrated staged events to sway council decisions,” he alleged.