Mayor of Colombo, Vraie Cally Balthazaar paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Governor of Nairobi City County, Njoroge Muchiri, on Tuesday (23), engaging in productive discussions on common urban challenges faced by both cities, including solid waste management, the maintenance of drainage and sewerage systems, and the provision of urban housing. 

According to the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Nairobi, accompanied by the Acting High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Kenya, Ruvini De Silva, the Colombo Mayor and the Deputy Governor exchanged views on best practices and explored opportunities for knowledge sharing and cooperation between Colombo and Nairobi in addressing these critical issues.

The discussions also underscored the importance of adopting inclusive and consultative approaches to urban planning and development. Both sides emphasized the need to actively engage communities and stakeholders in decision-making processes to ensure sustainable, resilient, and people-centred urban growth.

The courtesy call further reaffirmed the longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and Kenya and highlighted the potential for enhanced collaboration between the two cities in promoting effective urban governance and sustainable development. 

The discussions came during Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar’s visit to Nairobi, Kenya, from June 21-24 as part of an official delegation participating in the Global Workshop on Urban Climate Resilience, held alongside the Innovate4Cities Conference 2026. (Newswire)

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The Supreme Court on Tuesday (02) lifted the interim ban imposed on Vavuniya Municipal Council and its Mayor S. Kandeepan, allowing the council to resume functioning. However, the restriction against Deputy Mayor Parameswaran Karthipan will remain in force.

The Court of Appeal had earlier issued an interim order halting the activities of the council and restraining both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor from acting in their positions, following a writ petition filed by the National People’s Power (NPP) challenging Karthipan’s election.

Hearing the appeal against that order, the Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Janak de Silva, Sobitha Rajakaruna, and Menaka Wijesundara annulled the restrictions on the council and the Mayor, stressing that a body elected by the people cannot be kept paralyzed for long periods.

The Court directed that while the Deputy Mayor remains barred from functioning, if he voluntarily resigns, the Municipal Council Secretary must accept the resignation and cannot refuse on grounds of the case being pending.

President’s Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran appeared for the Vavuniya Municipal Council and Mayor Kandeepan. President’s Counsel Nizam Kariapper represented Deputy Mayor Karthipan, while President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris appeared for the petitioners. (Newswire)

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Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar delivered remarks on Women in Leadership to a distinguished audience of Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and members of the Sri Lankan community at a lunch hosted by the Sri Lankan High Commission in Canberra on March 26.

Her address formed part of her official visit to Australia from 21 to 29 March 2026, undertaken under the Special Visits Program of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

According to the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra, the Mayor’s program included a series of engagements with parliamentarians, mayors, senior officials, think tanks, and cultural institutions across Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney. (Newswire)

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Vraie Cally Balthazaar of the National People’s Power (NPP) assumed duties as the 26th Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) today.

She was elected as the Mayor of the CMC after securing a majority of 07 votes during a secret ballot held at the council on Monday.

During the election, Vraie Cally Balthazaar obtained 61 votes, while her opponent, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidate Riza Zarook, received 54 votes. 

Vraie Cally Balthazaar makes history as the second female Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council. (Newswire)

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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)

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Newly elected Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Vraie Cally Balthazaar says the ruling party and opposition must work together as one to develop Colombo city. 

Addressing the council after being elected as the Mayor, Balthazaar said her victory marks a historical formation of the CMC.

“We have a long journey ahead. The CMC is not like the Parliament. We should all work together to run the council, and not act as the ruling party or the opposition. It is the responsibility of all 117 members to work as one to improve Colombo,” the newly elected CMC Mayor said. 

Vraie Cally Balthazaar of the National People’s Power (NPP) was elected Mayor of the CMC, after obtaining a majority of votes, during the election held today.

Balthazaar was elected after securing 61 votes in the 117-member local council, while her opponent, Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s Riza Zarook, fell short of securing a majority, managing to obtain only 54 votes. Among the 117 votes, 115 were accepted, and 2 were rejected. 

Meanwhile, NPP’s Hemantha Kumara was appointed the Deputy Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council. 

The Mayor was elected during a secret ballot held during the CMC’s inaugural session, which took place today. 

The NPP had secured 48 seats and the SJB 29 seats in the 2025 Local Government Elections. (Newswire)

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Vraie Cally Balthazaar of the National People’s Power (NPP) has been elected Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC). 

Balthazaar was elected after securing a majority of votes in the 117-member local council, obtaining 61 votes.

Riza Zarook of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) also contested for the post of Mayor. 

Following a nearly one-hour debate, the NPP and the opposition settled for a secret ballot to elect the Mayor of the CMC during its inaugural session today. 

The NPP had secured 48 seats and the SJB 29 seats in the CMC in the Local Government Elections. (Newswire)

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After nearly an hour of intense debate, it has been decided to proceed with a secret vote to elect the Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC). 

The Inaugural meeting of the CMC commenced this morning to elect the Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the Local Council. 

The names of Vraie Cally Balthazaar of the National People’s Power (NPP) and Riza Zarook of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) were proposed for the post of Mayor of Colombo.

However, a tense situation arose due to an argument over whether an open vote or a secret ballot should be held to elect the Mayor, which was eventually resolved after one hour, with an agreement being reached for a secret vote.

Preparations are underway to commence voting. (Newswire)

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Colombo Mayor Vote: After nearly an hour of intense debate, both NPP and Opposition have finally agreed to proceed with a final secret vote to elect the Mayor.

The Inaugural meeting of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) is currently underway to elect the Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the Local Council. 

The names of Vraie Cally Balthazaar of the National People’s Power (NPP) and Riza Zarook of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) are proposed for the post of Mayor of Colombo.

However, a tense situation has arisen due to an argument over whether an open vote or a secret ballot should be held to elect the Mayor. 

It is reported that the NPP had suggested a secret ballot, while the other parties are calling for an open vote, with a huge argument underway during the council’s ongoing session. (Newswire)

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Senior SJB MPs have also confirmed the move, stating that the party will officially name its candidate shortly.

When contacted, SJB MP Mujibur Rahman said the party’s mayoral candidate will be from the SJB and that the name will be announced in due course.

The SJB is still working to secure the support of at least 59 councillors required to gain control of the Colombo Municipal Council. The vote to elect the new mayor is expected to take place within the next one to two weeks.

The latest breakdown of CMC seats is 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

•⁠ ⁠Independent Group 03 – 3 seats

•⁠ ⁠Sarvajana Balaya – 2 seats

•⁠ ⁠Independent Group 04 – 2 seats

•⁠ ⁠Independent Group 05 – 2 seats

•⁠ ⁠United Peace Alliance – 2 seats

•⁠ ⁠National Freedom Front – 1 seat

•⁠ ⁠National People’s Party – 1 seat

•⁠ ⁠People’s Alliance – 1 seat

•⁠ ⁠Democratic National Alliance – 1 seat

•⁠ ⁠United Republic Front – 1 seat

•⁠ ⁠Independent Group 01 – 1 seat

•⁠ ⁠Independent Group 02 – 1 seat

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The official term of local councils, for which members were elected in the recently held 2025 Local Government Elections, will commence on 02 June 2025. 

Political parties and independent groups that secured majorities in local authorities have been requested to submit the names of individuals nominated for the positions of Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Chairman and Vice Chairman of those councils.

Elections Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake has announced that the names of those nominated for the key positions of the local councils must be submitted within one week. 

Rathnayake further said that the names of the elected members must be gazetted at the Divisional level, prior to convening the inaugural meetings of the local councils. 

Where there is no majority in a local council, a vote will take place when the council is convened for the first time, on 02 June. (Newswire)

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Elango Elavalakan of Sri Lankan – origin has been elected Mayor of Ipswich Borough Council in the United Kingdom. 

Labour councillor Elango Elavalakan has taken over the ceremonial role after a unanimous vote at Ipswich Borough Council’s annual meeting.

He is in no doubt what this new role means to him: “Ipswich is my home. This is my home town and it’s a great honour to take on this role.”

Elavalakan is a site engineer and a site manager and after being born and brought up in Sri Lanka, his work has taken him all over the world.

He worked in Africa – in Uganda, and he helped with major projects to rebuild Rwanda after the genocide of the 1990s, before moving to Ipswich and settling here with his wife Manchula in 2006.

He was first elected to Ipswich Borough Council 10 years ago and has become one of the best-known faces in the town.

Unusually he’s already served for a year as deputy mayor to outgoing First Citizen Lynne Mortimer.

The theme of his mayoralty will be “support and well-being” and his charities will be Cancer Support Suffolk and Genesis Orwell Mencap.

Elavalakan says he had always had a strong sense of community and he hoped this would show itself during his mayoralty. (Newswire/ Ipswich Star)

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Former Kurunegala Mayor Thushara Sanjeewa Vitharanage has been found guilty of 11 charges out of 18 allegations levelled against him.

He was found guilty by the Commission appointed by North Western Province Governor Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda into allegations against Thushara Sanjeewa during his tenure as the Mayor of Kurunegala.

According to Mawbima, the Committee has ruled that Thushara Sanjeewa Vitharanage must be removed from his post as Mayor of Kurunegala with effect from 31st December 2022. 

As per the Commission’s instructions, North Western Province Governor Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda issued a Gazette notification this week (08) announcing the decision. 

In December 2022, a commission headed by former High Court Judge Lalith Ekanayake commenced investigations into the allegations levelled against Thushara Sanjeewa Vitharanage. (NewsWire)

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