SJB member prevented from voting to aid NPP takeover of Kalpitiya PS: MP alleges

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana  

A newly elected member of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to the Kalpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha was deliberately prevented from casting his vote in order to allow the National People’s Power (NPP) to secure control of the council, an opposition MP alleged yesterday.  
SJB Parliamentarian Hector Appuhamy claimed that the SJB member in question was arrested on the eve of the council’s inaugural session. “Although it was possible to grant bail the following morning, the process was deliberately delayed,” he said. “This coincided with the first meeting of the Kalpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha, during which voting was held to determine control of the council.”   According to MP Appuhamy, the detained member arrived at the council premises while voting was still underway but was not permitted to vote. “This directly facilitated the NPP’s takeover of the Kalpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha. It was a clear conspiracy to manipulate the outcome,” he charged.  
He further asserted that the opposition would have secured control of the council had the SJB member been allowed to vote.  
Calling for accountability, Appuhamy urged a thorough investigation into the incident. “Such events have occurred in several local government bodies. Either Parliament must initiate an inquiry, or an independent commission should be appointed to ensure justice and transparency,” he added.