Independent group fielded by jailed Mahindananda Aluthgamage secures Nawalapitiya Urban Council

An independent group, reportedly backed by convicted former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has taken control of the Nawalapitiya Urban Council following its inaugural meeting held last morning.   
Former chairman Amal Priyankara, contesting under Independent Group 02, was re-elected with nine votes, while K. Sureshwaran of Independent Group 01 was elected deputy chairman, also with nine votes.   
The National People’s Power (NPP) nominees, Tilak Amarasiri Sirisena for chairman and Hewage Prasanna for deputy chairman, each received five votes.   
The 15-member council comprises five members from the NPP, five from Independent Group 02, two from Independent Group 01, two from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), and one from the United National Front (UNF).  With no single party gaining a majority, the two independent groups formed an alliance to secure the council’s leadership.