NPP member elected chairman Weligama PS

By D.G.Sugathapala and Sumathipala Diyagahage   

Member of the National People’s Power (NPP) Chinthaka Darshana Hewapathirana was elected yesterday as chairman of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha.   

He succeeds former Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara, of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), who was killed in a shooting four months ago.   

Election of the chairman was presided over by Commissioner of Local Government, Southern Province, Umanga Erandi Mendis.   

NPP Member Chinthaka Hewapathirana received 22 votes, and his rival candidate, SJB Member M.H.Razik Priyankara, received 21 votes. Two votes were rejected.   

.The 45-member Pradeshiya Sabha comprises 22 NPP members and 23 members of the joint opposition.   

The council meetings to elect a chairman, convened by the CLG, had been postponed twice for want of a quorum.