Secret Ballot to Decide Colombo Mayor

Voting is currently underway to elect the new Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) through a secret ballot, following a heated debate among council members at the inaugural meeting held this morning.

The session, which began at 9:30 a.m. under the patronage of Western Province Local Government Commissioner Sarangika Jayasundara, was convened to elect the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Colombo after the Local Government election held on May 6.

The decision to proceed with a secret vote came after nearly an hour of intense argument between party representatives. The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and United National Party (UNP) had pushed for an open vote, while other members, including those from the National People’s Power (NPP), insisted on a secret ballot. The dispute created a tense atmosphere in the council chambers before a final agreement was reached.

Two candidates have been nominated for the post of Mayor—Vraie Cally Balthazaar of the NPP and Riza Zarook of the SJB. The outcome of the vote will determine who assumes leadership of the country’s most prominent municipal body.