The National People’s Power (NPP) has gained support from several independent councillors in the Colombo Municipal Council but remains short of the 59-seat majority needed to form an administration.
The NPP won 48 out of 117 seats in the May 6 local government elections, emerging as the largest single party. Although the opposition bloc—led by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB)—initially claimed a numerical edge with the backing of multiple parties, recent developments indicate a shift in council dynamics.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met a group of independent councillors on Monday.
Speaking to the media following the meeting, the councillors said they would unconditionally support the NPP’s mayoral candidate, Vrai Balthazar. However, it remains unclear how many independent councillors attended or pledged support. The council includes nine independent members elected under five different group lists.
The Colombo council’s inaugural session is scheduled for June 2, when all 117 councillors will vote to elect the Mayor. Both the NPP and the opposition alliance are continuing negotiations with undecided councillors, aware that even a single vote could decide control of the capital’s administration.
NPP leaders have reiterated their preference to work with independent councillors rather than form coalitions with traditional rival parties.
The opposition, meanwhile, is attempting to consolidate support among a broad coalition that includes the SJB, United National Party (UNP), Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), and others.
- Seat Distribution in the Colombo Municipal Council
- NPP – 48 seats
- SJB – 29 seats
- UNP – 13 seats
- SLPP – 5 seats
- SLMC – 4 seats
- Ind. Group 3 – 3 seats
- Sarvajana – 2 seats
- UPA – 2 seats
- Ind. Group 5 – 2 seats
- Ind. Group 4 – 2 seats
- Ind. Group 1 – 1 seat
- Ind. Group 2 – 1 seat
- NFF – 1 seat
- URF – 1 seat
- PA – 1 seat
- NPPT – 1 seat
- DNA – 1 seat
Majority threshold: 59 seats
The NPP remains short of a clear majority, but its post-election negotiations have brought it closer to the 59-seat threshold. The opposition is split among multiple factions, complicating efforts to form a unified front. The outcome of the June 2 mayoral vote will determine control of the Colombo Municipal Council for the upcoming term. (Newswire)