Galle NPP mayor elected with SLPP support

Colombo, June 20 (Daily Mirror) - National People’s Power (NPP) councillor Sunil Gamage was elected as the Mayor of the Galle Municipal Council today (20) with 19 votes, securing the post with the backing of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) councillors.

Gamage was chosen through a secret ballot held during the inaugural council session, which was approved by 19 members. Despite the NPP holding only 17 seats in the 36-member council, support from SLPP members enabled his election.

The session saw heightened tensions when 16 councillors representing the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), United National Party (UNP), and People’s Janatha Peramuna (PJP) staged a walkout in protest. One vote was declared invalid.

Meanwhile, SLPP councillor Priyantha Sahabandu was elected unopposed as Deputy Mayor, after being nominated by councillor Nihal Mahavithana and seconded by councillor Champika Himali.