Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa alleged today that the government has blatantly violated the 2025 guidelines issued by the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government for electing chairpersons and vice-chairpersons in local authorities.
He said that the guidelines specify procedures for situations where no party or independent group secures more than 50% of the total membership.
Premadasa claimed these procedures were followed in several local bodies, resulting in the opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya gaining control in many areas.
However, he said the current government had begun pressuring officials to alter the implementation of these guidelines to change outcomes.
Premadasa claimed that certain commissioners were being influenced to ignore standard voting procedures—whether secret or open ballots—and override legitimate member requests, such as in the Colombo Municipal Council.
He further asserted that these actions amounted to a violation of democratic principles and fundamental rights. Premadasa said all necessary steps would be taken to oppose what he described as undemocratic interference in local governance.
Premadasa’s comments come after the SJB’s Colombo mayoral candidate was defeated in a secret ballot held earlier today. (Newswire)