National People’s Power (NPP) councillor Sunil Gamage was elected as the Mayor of the Galle Municipal Council today (20) with 19 votes.
He was elected through a secret ballot held during the inaugural council session, with no objections.
Despite holding only 17 seats in the 36-member council following the local government elections, the NPP secured the mayorship after councillors voted in favour of a secret ballot, approved by 19 members.
A total of 16 councillors from the SJB, UNP, and PJP walked out in protest, creating a tense situation in the chamber. One vote was rejected.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) councillor Priyantha Sahabandu was elected unopposed as Deputy Mayor after being nominated by SLPP councillor Nihal Mahavithana and seconded by councillor Champika Himali.
The Galle Municipal Council consists of 36 members:
- NPP: 17 seats
- SJB: 9 seats
- UNP: 5 seats
- SLPP: 3 seats
- PJP: 2 seats
Although the opposition collectively holds 19 seats, the NPP managed to secure the key post in today’s vote held under the supervision of Southern Province Commissioner of Local Government Erandi Umanga Mendis. (Newswire)