NPP secures control of Kolonnawa Municipal Council with SJB support

Colombo, June 18 (Daily Mirror) - The National People's Power (NPP) has taken control of the Kolonnawa Municipal Council with the backing of a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) councillor, who had secured the highest number of preferential votes in the last local government election.

A tense situation unfolded during the council meeting held this morning (18) to elect a new chairman.

The NPP held nine seats in the 19-member council, while the opposition collectively had 10. With no clear majority, an election was called to select the chairman.

However, during the meeting, nine opposition councillors walked out amid rising tensions. Only Susil Kumara of the SJB remained, breaking ranks with the opposition and pledging support to the NPP.

As a result, NPP member Dhammika Wijayamuni was elected chairman with 10 votes in a secret ballot.

Saman Seneviratne was appointed vice-chairman of the council.