The newly elected Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) will convene its inaugural meeting on Monday, June 16, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at the Town Hall in Colombo.
The main agenda is to elect a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor through a ballot of the 117 councilors.
This procedure is required as no party won a clear majority in the recent local government election.
- Main Candidates and Their Parties
The contest has narrowed to two candidates:
Vraie Cally Balthazaar (NPP): Nominated by the National People’s Power, Balthazaar is an executive committee member of the party. The NPP holds 48 seats, the largest bloc in the council but short of a majority.
Riza Zarook (SJB): A lawyer and businessman, Zarook is the nominee of the opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya and its allies. The SJB won 29 seats and is backed by a broader opposition coalition.
No other major candidates are expected. The Deputy Mayor is also likely to be selected from the winning coalition.
- Council Composition and Party Support
The 117-seat council is divided as follows:
* National People’s Power (NPP): 48 seats
* Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB): 29 seats
* United National Party (UNP): 13 seats
* Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP): 5 seats
* Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC): 4 seats
* Others (minor parties and independents): 18 seats
A simple majority requires 59 votes. Both major blocs are seeking support from smaller parties and independents to reach this threshold.
- Cross-Party Alliances and Endorsements
The SJB-led opposition coalition includes the UNP, SLPP, SLMC, and other groups. SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam confirmed their support for Zarook. The UNP leadership, including former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa have also worked to consolidate opposition votes.
The NPP has focused on securing votes from minor parties like the United Peace Alliance and Democratic National Alliance and courting independents. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake personally met with independent councilors, several of whom pledged support for Balthazaar.
- Political Tensions and Statements
Dissanayake criticized the opposition alliance as an effort to override the NPP’s mandate and warned of possible legal steps. Opposition leaders responded that coalition-building reflects voter sentiment.
Internal dissent emerged within the opposition when UNP councilor Ramzi Imtiyaz voiced concerns over Zarook’s nomination, threatening to abstain. SJB officials dismissed the objection and affirmed support for Zarook.
- Background and Significance
Colombo’s mayoral post is the most prominent among the 339 local bodies elected in May. The CMC governs the nation’s capital and serves as a political bellwether.
The NPP, which won control of 151 councils nationally, views Colombo as pivotal. The opposition sees a win here as proof of its ability to unite against the ruling party.
The result, expected Monday afternoon, will signal whether the NPP can extend its urban hold or if a multi-party opposition coalition can take control of Sri Lanka’s capital.
The vote is expected to be closely contested but with an advantage for the Government NPP. (Newswire)