A comparative analysis between yesterday’s Local Government Election and the previous Parliamentary Election reveals some striking shifts in voter behavior. Notably, the National People’s Power (NPP), widely regarded as the dominant force, experienced a significant 34% decline in its vote count.
Using the formula:
{(6,863,186 − 4,503,930) / 6,863,186} × 100 = -34.37%
In contrast, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) showed a positive swing. It improved its tally from 1,968,716 votes in the last parliamentary election to 2,258,480 in the local polls, an increase of approximately 14.7%.
{(2,258,480 − 1,968,716) / 1,968,716} × 100 = 14.71%
The biggest jump, however, came from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). Having secured only 350,429 votes in the previous general election, the SLPP soared to 954,517 votes in this election—a staggering 172.38% increase.
{(954,517 − 350,429) / 350,429} × 100 = 172.38%
Meanwhile, the NPP also recorded a loss of 1.2 million votes when compared to the last presidential election (where it secured 5,740,179 votes), and a staggering 2.4 million vote drop compared to its 2024 general election result.
Final Results and Regional Standings
- All-Island Results Summary – 2025 Local Government Election
🧭 NPP: 4,503,930 votes | 43.26% | 3,927 seats
☎ SJB: 2,258,480 votes | 21.69% | 1,767 seats
🌷 SLPP: 954,517 votes | 9.17% | 742 seats
🐘 UNP: 488,406 votes | 4.69% | 381 seats
🏠 ITAK: 307,657 votes | 2.96% | 377 seats
🪑 PA: 387,098 votes | 3.72% | 300 seats
🏅 SB: 294,681 votes | 2.83% | 226 seats
🌳 SLMC: 139,858 votes | 1.34% | 116 seats
The final stages of counting in the Local Government Elections have confirmed the National People’s Power (NPP) as the party with the highest number of votes—4,503,930 in total—translating into 3,927 seats.
The NPP leads in 266 Local Government bodies, broken down into:
- 23 Municipal Councils
- 26 Urban Councils
- 217 Pradeshiya Sabhas
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), which came in second, obtained 2,258,480 votes and leads in 13 councils.
However, despite these numbers, the NPP has not secured the majority required to unilaterally form administrations in a large number of local councils. Coalition negotiations will be critical in determining control over many of these institutions.
Vote Losses Raise Concerns for NPP
The NPP’s vote count in this election is 1.2 million fewer than what it achieved in the last presidential election and 2.4 million fewer than in the general election. This considerable drop has sparked speculation over whether the party has peaked in popularity.
The SJB, meanwhile, maintained strong consistency. It had secured 4,530,902 votes in the last presidential election and 1,968,716 votes in the general election. The current gain in local elections is being interpreted as steady growth for Sajith Premadasa’s camp.
Pohottuwa’s Resurgence in the South
The SLPP (Pohottuwa) made a dramatic return, increasing its vote share by over three times when compared to the last general election. This recovery is especially visible in the Southern Province, where the party’s vote percentages in many areas climbed to 15–20%.
This upward trajectory suggests that the SLPP still holds sway at the grassroots level in several regions, despite losing ground nationally in past elections.
NPP Faces Setback After Election Day
As results continue to come in, it is evident that the National People’s Power (NPP), while remaining the frontrunner in raw vote numbers, is undergoing a declining trend in terms of momentum.
The data shows that in many local government institutions, the party has failed to surpass the 50% threshold required to form councils independently. This reality underscores the challenges ahead for the NPP in maintaining its dominance beyond the vote count particularly as coalition politics begin to shape the next phase of local governance.
