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 says the city remains committed to protecting its trees, even as urban development projects continue to reshape the capital.

She revealed that two institutions, Fort Railway Station and the University of Visual and Performing Arts, recently sought assistance from the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) when renovation work threatened trees on their premises.

“Because the trees could still be moved, we were able to root ball them and give them new homes, one at Flower Road, and the others at Viharamahadevi Park,” the Mayor said.

Balthazaar emphasized that the CMC will always work with organisations and residents to safeguard Colombo’s greenery. 

However, she noted a contrasting case where a company cut down a mature tree on Galle Road, which had stood for many years. “They will be charged for destroying public property,” she confirmed.

The Mayor also urged businesses to stop requesting tree removals simply because they obstruct signage or branding. “These trees are just as much a part of Colombo as your businesses,” she remarked.

Reflecting on her own favourites, Balthazaar said she especially admires flamboyant and ehela trees, and encouraged citizens to appreciate the city’s natural heritage. (Newswire)

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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 Curative Health Department Polyclinic in Kompanyaveediya has been given a fresh new look, marking the first of 27 city dispensaries to undergo a major revamp. 

Mayor of Colombo Vraîe Cally Balthazaar says the refurbished facility now offers a more welcoming environment designed to put patients at ease both physically and mentally.

The transformation was made possible through a unique collaboration led by Ms. Marleen, who was born in the building when it served as a maternity home. 

Her personal connection inspired her to rally a group of supporters who worked alongside the Curative Health Department team to bring the project to life.

Colombo Mayor Vraîe Cally Balthazaar commended the initiative, noting that the facelift reflects the city’s commitment to creating healthcare spaces where people feel comfortable and cared for. 

She further extended special appreciation to Dr. Ganesh and the Curative Health Department staff for their dedication and service to the community.

“We are proud of what has been achieved here, and we hope this is just the beginning of many more improvements across our city,” the Colombo Mayor added. (Newswire)

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Eight Mee trees were planted along Sangaraja Mawatha in Colombo 10 by the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), at 9:01 am on Thursday, the auspicious time for tree planting during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

Mayor Vraîe Cally Balthazaar, who led the initiative, reaffirmed the CMC’s commitment to expanding urban greenery despite its Land and Environment Department often being referred to as the “tree cutting unit.”

“With nearly 100 trees planted this last year, we keep growing and expanding our tree coverage. I also had the honour of launching our herb garden project in schools in the city last year, and we’ve also been committed to creating small urban forest patches,” Mayor Vraîe Cally Balthazaar noted, highlighting the CMC’s parallel projects.

“We care for our trees as much as we do our people,” she said, underscoring the Council’s vision of a greener, healthier Colombo. (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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The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has announced a major relief measure for residents, deciding to abolish all cremation and burial fees within its municipal limits.

Colombo Mayor Vraîe Cally Balthazaar told Newswire that a decision was taken to completely abolish cremation and burial fees charged from residents within the Colombo Municipal limits during a meeting of the local council held on Tuesday (10 Feb).

According to members’ views, the proposal was presented by the Colombo Mayor and unanimously approved during the discussion.

As a result, residents receiving services from the Colombo Municipal Council will now be exempt from paying fees for cremations and burials at the Borella, Jawatta, Madampitiya, and Kirulapone cemeteries, in the sections administered by the Council.

Previously, a fee of Rs. 10,000 had been charged, which opposition and government members noted had caused severe hardship to low‑income families. (Newswire)

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Colombo is set to welcome athletes from across the globe as the city hosts IRONMAN 70.3 on February 22, with competitors from more than 45 countries expected to take part.

Announcing the event, Colombo Mayor Vraîe Cally Balthazaar said the city is proud to be the host and emphasized the importance of collaboration in planning global events.

“Colombo is not merely a pit stop, but a city of activity, purpose, and action. Working with leaders from the hospitality and wellness industries ensures we can drive our vision forward and showcase Colombo as a destination ready for the world,” she noted.

The Mayor added that the event highlights Colombo’s growing role on the international stage and reflects the city’s commitment to positioning itself as a hub for sports, wellness, and global engagement. (Newswire)

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The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has launched ‘CMC Apparel’, a new workspace designed to support young women entering employment after completing the year-long NVQ course, helping them on their path toward economic stability.

According to a statement by CMC Mayor Vraîe Cally Balthazaar, at the launch on Thursday (08 Jan), students from both current and past batches demonstrated their skills in pattern making, pattern grading, and design, showcasing the talent and dedication fostered through the programme.

“In the past, members of the council have donated sewing machines to women across the city. Unfortunately, many of these machines were underutilized and, in some cases, sold after a few years. With CMC Apparel, we wanted to do things differently, to create a sustainable system that ensures taxpayers’ money truly benefits those who need support the most, while empowering women with real opportunities, skills, and income,” she said. 

Mayor Vraîe Cally Balthazaar further noted that this marks only the beginning of the initiative, with further plans ahead to strengthen the programme and expand its impact. (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 said the Colombo Municipal Council budget was to decide the future of Colombo city and not the council.

Vraîe Cally Balthazaar said after establishing control of the local council, the NPP administration cordially worked with all members, irrespective of their parties.

“You didn’t defeat the NPP’s budget, you defeated your conscience and the budget of conscience,” she told CMC councillors, after the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) lost the budget vote at the Colombo Municipal Council.

Vraîe Cally Balthazaar urged those who voted against the budget to think about what they had done to the expectations of the people of Colombo. 

“Evil people doing bad things is normal. But good people banding together when something bad occurs is even scarier,” she added. 

The Colombo Mayor made the comments after the ruling NPP lost the budget vote at the Colombo Municipal Council yesterday, after the joint opposition voted against it. 60 councillors voted against the budget while 57 supported it. (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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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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National Peoples’ Power (NPP) Mayoral candidate for Colombo Vraie Cally Balthazaar says changes must be implemented in the local government institutions, which are filled with corruption.  

Balthazaar said making changes to the local government institutions was the only way to bring the decisions of the Parliament to the grassroots.

“We changed the Parliament. Now, it is essential to change the system of the local government institutions. I am confident that the people will give us a chance to make that change,” she said. 

Balthazaar made the remarks while responding to reporters on contesting as Colombo Mayoral Candidate in the upcoming Local Government Elections.

Also commenting to the media, Deputy Minister of Public Security Sunil Watagala expressed confidence in Vraie Cally Balthazaar’s victory.

“Not only winning, but she is the next Colombo Mayor,” he added. (Newswire)

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