Colombo Mayor Vraîe Cally Balthazaar has pledged decisive steps to reclaim neglected and misused public property across the D4 Administrative District, following an inspection tour of several sites yesterday.

At one location, officials found a building that has received repeated public funding for more than 15 years but remains unfinished. 

With the Road Development Authority (RDA) expanding the road and displacing the current depot and district office, the Mayor announced that clearing and preparation of the long‑neglected site will begin immediately. 

“Public funds should never be wasted, and we are committed to ensuring this valuable public asset is finally put to proper use,” she said.

The team also inspected a children’s playground that had been unlawfully occupied and converted into a garage. Balthazaar stressed that public spaces belong to the community, not individuals seeking private gain, vowing to take firm action to reclaim such areas.

At the Jathika Pola, the Mayor acknowledged the need for both immediate improvements and broader discussions to secure its long‑term sustainability.

Finally, the visit included Ashroff Watte, where longstanding drainage problems have plagued residents. Balthazaar expressed hope that coordinated action will deliver lasting solutions to improve living conditions.

The Mayor underscored that her administration will continue to stand against the misuse of public property and ensure that taxpayer resources are directed toward projects that serve the people. (Newswire)

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Colombo Mayor, Vraîe Cally Balthazaar, engaged in an inspection tour of the Colombo Fire Brigade on Monday (Jan 05).

During the visit, the Colombo Mayor was provided with an opportunity to inspect some of the fire vehicles, including the extendable ladder. 

“Yesterday we visited our fire department to wish our staff strength and support at the start of the year. We also had the opportunity to inspect some of our fire vehicles, which meant taking a ride up 40M so as to see how the extendable ladder works (refused to be taken up the balance 30M!). Smiling in these pictures, but properly petrified,” she said, in a post on social media. 

Expressing appreciation for the Colombo fire fleet, Vraîe Cally Balthazaar further said, “We’re very proud of our fire fleet. And the massive efforts they take in saving lives and property. This year, we will expand and strengthen our services.” (Newswire)

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Colombo Mayor Vraîe Cally Balthazaar on Tuesday (11) joined a group of vision-impaired persons to raise awareness of the difficulties faced by them daily.

Mayor Balthazaar took a walk around Colombo while blindfolded to experience the difficulties faced by vision-impaired persons.

She was accompanied by Sugath Wasantha de Silva, Sri Lanka’s first-ever vision-impaired Member of Parliament. 

“I am being blindfolded, so I understand what it is to be in the city without sight,” Colombo Mayor Vraîe Cally Balthazaar said, while being blindfolded. (Newswire)

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The Government has denied allegations against Commissioner of the Department of Local Government of the Western Province claiming that she acted in an arbitrary manner in conducting a secret ballot to elect Colombo’s mayor.

Responding to questions at the weekly Cabinet media briefing, Government Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said the Commissioner had followed proper procedures in conducting the ballot and dismissed claims of arbitrary conduct.

The comments come after the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) alleged that Commissioner Sarangika Jayasundara acted unilaterally during the vote, claiming she favored the ruling party by deciding to hold a secret ballot.

“If someone votes in our favour during a secret ballot, by looking at our policies, there needs to be no question about it,” Jayatissa said.

He also accused the opposition of selectively raising concerns over the use of a secret ballot, claiming they had not objected to the same procedure being used in other local councils. (Newswire)

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Defeated Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) mayoral candidate Riza Zarook alleged that the Commissioner of the Department of Local Government of the Western Province acted arbitrarily during the vote to elect a Mayor for Colombo this morning.

Zarook claimed that Commissioner Sarangika Jayasundara acted unilaterally, giving the ruling party an advantage by opting for a secret ballot.

“With the ruling party’s influence, it was clear they had planned to opt for a secret ballot. Despite our objections, the Commissioner made a statement at the outset that the vote could be conducted either by secret or open ballot,” Zarook said.

“That method of voting too should be decided by a majority of councillors. However, the Commissioner declared in an authoritarian manner that this decision would also be made through a secret ballot. As a result, we were compelled to proceed with the secret ballot,” he said.

He claimed that concerns had arisen within his camp the moment that there was a mention of a secret ballot, as the National People’s Power had deliberated on the matter for many days at their party headquarters in Pelawatte.

Zarook however congratulated the newly elected Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar stating that programs that would be favourable for the city would receive their support. “We will be watchful of the Mayor’s conduct in future,” he added. (Newswire)

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Eran Wickramaratne is not the Colombo Mayoral Candidate of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), party member Niroshan Padukka said.

Speaking to the media, Niroshan Padukka said that the names of three prominent members have been nominated and a decision will be made among those suggested names.

Responding to queries of SJB Member Hirunika Premachandra claiming that Eran Wickramaratne was the party’s Colombo Mayoral candidate, Niroshan Padukka said there was no such decision.

“Hirunika may have thought that Eran might contest. But Eran will not contest for this post. He has more important responsibilities tied to the SJB,” he clarified. 

Niroshan Padukka said that the final decision in this regard will be made soon and announced at the right time. (Newswire)

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