Vraie Cally Balthazaar has been elected Mayor of Colombo, bringing a background in media, academia, and activism to the leadership of Sri Lanka’s capital.
Born in 1985, Balthazaar completed her primary and secondary education at Methodist College, Colombo. She holds a degree in fashion design, a Postgraduate Diploma in Gender and Women’s Studies, and a Master’s in the same field.
Media and Activism Career
Before entering politics, Balthazaar was a familiar face on Sri Lankan television, with nearly a decade of experience as a presenter. She hosted programs such as Good Morning Sri Lanka, gaining recognition as a media personality.
Beyond the screen, she was active in civil society and research, particularly after 2018. Her work with various NGOs focused on the rights of women and children. As a researcher in urban development, she examined how city planning impacted low-income communities in Colombo.
Her activism extended into gender equality and labour rights, aligning with her academic focus. This combination of media presence and grassroots work helped shape her public identity as a feminist and community advocate.
Entry into Politics
Balthazaar entered politics through the National People’s Power (NPP) movement, aligned with the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). She formally joined the JVP-affiliated Socialist Youth Union in 2021.
Initially slated to contest the 2023 local government elections as the NPP’s Colombo district lead candidate, Balthazaar remained active in the party despite the postponement. She became a prominent figure for the NPP in Colombo.
Election Campaigns and Performance
In the 2024 parliamentary elections, she ran under the NPP banner in the Colombo District and secured approximately 44,633 preferential votes—placing 18th among NPP candidates, just outside the threshold for a parliamentary seat.
In the delayed local government elections held on May 6, 2025, Balthazaar contested for the Colombo Municipal Council from the Thimbirigasyaya ward. She was elected with 2,094 votes. The NPP won 48 out of 119 CMC seats, the largest share, and nominated her for the mayoralty.
Colombo’s Second Female Mayor
On June 16, 2025, Balthazaar was elected Mayor of Colombo by a council vote, winning 61 votes to defeat the main opposition candidate from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, who received 54.
She is the second woman to serve as Mayor of Colombo, after Rosy Senanayake, who held the office in 2018. Balthazaar’s election also marks a political shift—Colombo, long a stronghold of the center-right United National Party, is now led by a center-left alliance for the first time since 1944. (Newswire)