The National People’s Power (NPP) today secured control of the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha, ending a six-month administrative deadlock that followed the May Local Government election.

Although the NPP emerged as the largest group with 23 seats, it fell short of an outright majority, while the remaining 24 seats were divided among opposition parties and independent groups.

Two earlier attempts to elect a Chairman, on June 17 and July 15, were postponed due to procedural disputes.

The council reconvened this morning to decide whether the vote for Chairman should be held by open or secret ballot. The 23 NPP members and one member of the Sarvajana Balaya supported a secret ballot.

However, the remaining 23 opposition members walked out of the chamber.

The election went ahead with the remaining members, and NPP councillor P. K. Premarathna was elected Chairman with 23 votes. The Sarvajana Balaya member who backed the secret ballot abstained from voting.

Following the vote, Sarvajana Balaya Leader Dilith Jayaweera accused the NPP-led Government of “buying” the opposition member to secure control of the council, an allegation the NPP has not responded to so far.

With today’s outcome, the NPP officially takes charge of the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha more than six months after the LG poll. (Newswire)

The post NPP secures Seethawaka PS after 6-month deadlock with Sarvajana member’s help appeared first on Newswire.

The election to appoint a Chairman and Vice-Chairman for the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha, scheduled to take place today (15), was postponed for a second time without a set date by Western Province Commissioner Sarangika Jayasundara.

The postponement was due to the lack of a required quorum in the council necessary to conduct the vote.

A previous attempt on June 17 had also failed for the same reason, resulting in rescheduling the vote to today.

Accordingly, the second vote to elect the Chairman and Vice-Chairman began at 9:30 am at the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha.

During the proceedings, a discussion arose over whether the election should be conducted as a secret ballot or an open vote. One party proposed an open vote, while another suggested a secret ballot.

As two proposals were submitted, the election was conducted by secret ballot. The vote to appoint a Chairman was held first. Out of the votes cast, 23 were in favour of an open ballot, while 24 supported a secret ballot.

At that point, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) members stated that they would walk out of the council in protest of the decision to proceed with a secret ballot, citing the presence of council members as a justification for an open vote.

Following the walkout, the number of remaining members fell short of the quorum required. Consequently, the Commissioner postponed the council for 10 minutes.

After reconvening, the council still lacked the necessary quorum to proceed with the vote, leading the Commissioner to indefinitely postpone the election once again. (Newswire)

The post Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha election postponed for the second time appeared first on Newswire.

The Court of Appeal has dismissed without a hearing the petition that was filed over the dispute on the selection process for key leadership roles in the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha.

During the inaugural session of the local council, 24 council members had submitted a written request advocating for an open vote to appoint the Chairman and Vice Chairman.

However, the Western Provincial Commissioner, Sarangika Jayasundara, had disregarded the appeal and proceeded with a secret ballot on June 17.

Opposing parties, including members from Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), staged a walkout in protest, asserting that the Commissioner’s decision undermined the democratic process and public trust.

Following the walkout, as there was no quorum, the session was postponed, with the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha not electing a Chairman and Vice Chairman. 

Thereafter, a petition challenging the Western Provincial Commissioner’s move was filed at the Court of Appeal, with the petitioners requesting an interim order preventing the implementation of the secret ballot and compelling an open voting procedure instead. 

However, during proceedings today, the Court of Appeal has dismissed the petition without a hearing. (Newswire)

Note: The headline of this story has been updated to correct a misleading impression conveyed in the original version.

The post Local Council : Court rejects Open Vote request appeared first on Newswire.

The Court of Appeal has set July 07 as the date for a hearing of the petition filed over the dispute on the selection process for key leadership roles in the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha.

During the inaugural session of the local council, 24 council members had submitted a written request advocating for an open vote to appoint the Chairman and Vice Chairman.

However, the Western Provincial Commissioner, Sarangika Jayasundara, had disregarded the appeal and proceeded with a secret ballot on June 17.

Opposing parties, including members from Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), staged a walkout in protest, asserting that the Commissioner’s decision undermined the democratic process and public trust.

Following the walkout, as there was no quorum, the session was postponed, with the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha yet to elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman. 

A petition challenging the Western Provincial Commissioner’s move was filed at the Court of Appeal, which has set July 7 as the date for a hearing on the matter. 

Appearing on behalf of the petitioners, President’s Counsel Ali Sabry requested an interim order preventing the implementation of the secret ballot and compelling an open voting procedure instead.

Sabry argued that council members are elected to represent the will of the people and that the Commissioner’s actions conflict with public expectations and governance transparency. He further emphasized that the Commissioner, as a state official, is obligated to honour the majority request of council members.

The judiciary, led by Justices Rohantha Abeysuriya and K. Priyantha Fernando, acknowledged the submissions, fixing the hearing for next week, while the next council meeting is scheduled for July 5. (Newswire)

The post Seethawaka PS : Court to hear case against Commissioner’s decision appeared first on Newswire.